Sunday 11 January 2026
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptised by him. (v. 13)
Background
One of my favourite television programmes in the 1960s and 70s was 'The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau'. It featured Frenchman Cousteau, who had co-invented equipment for scuba diving, and his crew on board 'The Calypso' in exotic locations around the world. (If you want to see it, YouTube has all sorts of Cousteau clips.) My friends and I vied, in terrible French accents, to imitate a phrase often used in the commentary “As we go down into the water….”
Today we read that John is reluctant to let Jesus 'go down into the water'. He had predicted Jesus would baptise but with the Holy Spirit and fire – and be baptised. John who is strong on a legal obedience to God seems puzzled by Jesus' more gracious approach. Doubt will linger for John and in 11:3 he sends his disciples to ask “Are you the one who is to come or should we seek another?”
Before he takes the plunge Jesus explains that his baptism is a sign that he is always going to live as a faithful servant of God. John had stressed we need a new start having got things wrong. Jesus invites us to learn how to live having made a new beginning.
When Jesus goes down into the water – his first adult act – he places himself among those whom John has baptised, just as he will when he dies between criminals on crosses (27:38). He wants to be among us.
I have never been scuba diving though I did occasionally use a mask and snorkel. I never saw much below sea level in the English Channel! Indeed I was always more relieved and excited to breathe again than to enthuse about the underwater delights. Perhaps because of that I have always been more encouraged by the post-baptism scene – the open heaven, the descent of the Spirit and God's voice proclaiming that the faithful servant is also the Son of God.
To Ponder:
- Have you sometimes struggled with or doubted what it might mean for you to follow the way of Jesus? How did you decide what to do?
- Picture and reflect on the image of Jesus being with us as we “go down into the water" to paddle, walk, wade or swim…. in the currents of life.
- Repeat, for some time, saying slowly and aloud: “I am your son/daughter, whom you love; with me you are well pleased.”
Prayer
We do not seek an answer or be weighed down by any struggles settling to pray. We wait with gentle longing to encounter our heavenly parent. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Bob Sneddon
Bob Sneddon is a retired presbyter who lives on the south coast of England. He has had five varied circuit appointments over some 40 years and before that worked in India for a year. In retirement he is enjoying making a garden and walking.