Matthew 3

John the Baptist was a cousin to Jesus, but there isn't any indication that they grew up together.   Maybe they visited once in a while, and that's how John recognized Jesus when he came....or maybe it was the Holy Spirit making it obvious to John.   Either way, the events that took place were necessary in order for Jesus to remain perfect.   He didn't need to be forgiven of any sin, but He did need to remain obedient to the law, and to make a good confession at the right time.

John's clothing is described for a purpose.  This is what the prophets wore.  When they say "John were camel hair clothing with a leather belt, and ate locusts and wild honey" they are actually saying "John was a prophet in the pattern of all those who came before".   In fact, in one place John is identified by Jesus as being the second appearance of "the prophet" Elijah.     Tradition had it that Elijah would come before the Messiah.  Jesus said about John "the Spirit of Elijah has come" referring to John.

When John describes what Jesus will do (verse 12 and following) it is a poetic way of saying "the Judge is coming"    Jesus is the one who is able to harvest the earth.   Clearing the threshing floor (which is a large flat place outside) is preparing for the raw grain to be brought in...gathering the wheat into the barn means the threshing has finished, and the grain is now separated from the stalk (the chaff).   The grain is brought inside, and the chaff discarded.   We know that John is speaking about heaven and hell because he describes the "unquenchable fire" into which the chaff is thrown.   That's "end times" language.

Every picture I have ever seen of Jesus being baptized by John shows Jesus standing in the water, and dove coming from heaven to light upon him.    Here it says that Jesus "went up out of the water"  and then the Spirit descended "like a dove" on him.    Jesus wasn't in the water when the Spirit came.   It doesn't mean anything really, it's just interesting.

The important thought here is the three fold manifestation of God.   Jesus is God, and he is standing on the bank of the Jordan River.   The Holy Spirit is God, and He is descending upon Jesus, and at the same moment, there is a third person...not seen, but heard as a loud voice from heaven saying "This is my Son...."      So we understand the concept of the Trinity.   Three persons, but all one God.

You can come up with whatever physical object you want to try and explain it...but God is beyond explanation.   All attempts fall short sooner or later.

Here's my illustration, it's pretty elementary but it works.

Paper dolls are cut from the same piece of paper.   Three dolls, one piece of paper.   The three dolls don't have to be identical, and if you folded the paper just right you might only see one doll.   It might look like a bear wearing a dress, or a woman with bear ears....you get the idea.    The paper illustrates the the "essence" of God.   Three distinct beings all have the same "essence"  all three are connected to one another, and cannot be separated.  They are mutually supporting.      Are there three?   Yes, but there is also one.    One piece of paper, one "essence of God"   To see one is to see them all, because all of them are the same essence.   They are identical (as one piece of paper) and yet distinct and separate.

Hope that helps, and doesn't create more questions that it answers.....

PR