Theology of Geography: Jesus’ Baptism Site Brims With Significance

[Michie]

Jesus began his public ministry at the lowest place on earth so that we may ascend to the Father.

The Baptism of the Lord Jesus teaches us something about the theology of geography.

There are many places where water for baptism could be found in the land of Israel. Why was Jesus baptized by John in the Jordan Valley near the Dead Sea?

Biblical geography was highlighted last week as Cardinal Pietro Parolin, secretary of state, consecrated a new church at the Al-Maghtas site on the east bank of the Jordan River. “Al-Maghtas” is Arabic for “immersion,” commonly translated in the ecclesial context to “baptism.”

The project has been underway for a long time; Pope Benedict XVI laid the cornerstone on his visit in 2009. The new church, one of the largest Catholic churches in the Middle East, commemorates the place where the public ministry of Jesus began.

Continued below.

Theology of Geography: Jesus’ Baptism Site Brims With Significance

COMMENTARY: Jesus began his public ministry at the lowest place on earth so that we may ascend to the Father.

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[JimR-OCDS]

I listened to a theology professor from St Chrysostom U give a talk on Jesus Baptism.
I forget his name.

However, what I recall from the talk was that the Baptism was actually an anointing of Jesus
as King. The garment John the Baptist used included a leather belt which he wore, see
Matthew 3:4. The professor said that whenever Scripture points out a detail like this,
that it had significance of when God spoke. He then pointed to a verse in the Old Testament,
2 Kings 1:8 and how the profit Elijah wore a leather belt. In Matthew God spoke when Jesus
was Baptized, "This is my beloved Son,* with whom I am well pleased.”

Then, there was the geographical location that the professor spoke on. He said it was the same
place that the Israelites crossed the Jordon to enter the promise land. The correlation of this
and Jesus Baptism was relatively important to understand.