At a place where springs appear in the desert east of the Jordan River, a guide explains that this is where John baptized Jesus – at “Bethany beyond the Jordan” (John 1). Modern wooden structures stand where early Christians once built churches.

Here, John called crowds to repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Repentance meant a changed life: people with plenty of food and clothing must share, tax collectors must be honest, soldiers must not abuse their power (Luke 3).

Jesus did not need baptism to mark forgiveness of sins. But “repentance” also can mean a turn in life direction.

Empowered at baptism by the Spirit, Jesus turned from private life to fully embrace God’s call to proclaim the reign of God.

Jesus crossed the Jordan where Israelites once crossed into the land God had promised.

There, Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness, rejection at Nazareth, harassment from religious and political leaders, and eventually the cross.

Along the way, he called disciples, healed, forgave, feasted, taught, loved, and prayed.

Baptism was costly for Jesus, and it is for us. Mercifully, few of us will meet a violent end at the hands of opponents. But the life turnaround that follows baptism means we move away from ego-centered living to a discipline of following Jesus. Daily choices of obedience to God are the path to a meaningful life. Jesus, “for the joy that was set before him endured the cross” (Hebrews 12).

Early Anabaptists spoke of a triple baptism—water, Spirit and blood. Who do you know who paid a high price for keeping baptismal promises?

What self-centred impulses are you ready to leave behind in the waters of baptism to follow Jesus in joy and resurrection power?

This article first appeared in Courier/Correo/Courrier October 2021.