Advent in Israel: The Places of Israel & the Story of JesusÖrnek

# Day 18 - Yardenit (Jordan River) The ministry of Jesus begins in an unexpected way: He is baptized in the Jordan River. He finds His cousin John and requests to be baptized. John refuses at first, admitting his inferiority, but at Jesus's insistence, John baptizes Him. According to Matthew 3:13-17, a voice from heaven speaks the words “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” The obedience of Jesus to His Father is evident. He humbled Himself to be baptized so that the prophecy about Him could be fulfilled. His sinless life needed no repentance, but it showed His absolute obedience to His Father. Every aspect of the life of Jesus shows that His birth was no accident and every step was planned by the Father. Through His birth and death, we are given true life, when we follow the example of Jesus in repentance of sin and the public declaration of our repentance through baptism. What does baptism mean to you personally?