I recently upgraded my smartphone. One of my favourite features is the new camera toggle—with a simple slide of my finger, I can zoom in for incredible detail or pan out for a wide-angle view of the entire landscape. It’s responsive and seamless: zoom in, pan out, zoom in, pan out.
As I was reflecting on the story of Jesus’ baptism, I realised that this is exactly what we need to do to understand who Jesus is. To truly grapple with the Gospel, we have to master the art of the "spiritual zoom."
The Big Question: Why Baptism?
In the Gospels, we see people flocking to John the Baptist at the Jordan River. They are there for a fresh start—a baptism of repentance. Then, Jesus appears in the queue.
John the Baptist immediately hits the "pause" button. He objects, saying, “I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me?” (Matthew 3:14). John is having one of those moments we all experience: feeling unworthy to be part of God’s plan.
But his objection raises a vital theological question: If Jesus is the sinless, perfect Son of God, why does he need to be baptised at all?
Panning Out: The Eternal Christ
To answer that, we have to pan out and look at the "wide-angle" view of who Jesus is. When we look at the whole of Scripture, we see the enormity of Christ—the side of Him that is transcendent and beyond our full comprehension.
He is the Creator: His power stretches beyond the stars; He founded the earth and the heavens.
He is Eternal: His years have no end.
He is the Sustainer: He holds the entire universe together by His word.
He is Exalted: He sits at the right hand of the Father, reflecting the very glory of God.
This is the "Beloved Son" whom the heavens opened for. This is the "Pan Out" view of the King of Kings.
Zooming In: The Physical Jesus
Now, zoom back in. Look at the person standing in the river.
He has dusty feet and a human heart. He feels hunger, thirst, and tiredness. In the moment of His baptism, the entire Trinity shows up—the Father speaks, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Son stands in the water.
So, why was He there? Jesus wasn't baptised because He needed it; He was baptised because we need Him alongside us. He didn't use a "celestial megaphone" to call us from a distance. Instead, He stepped into the mud of the Jordan to stand in line with us.
The wonder of the incarnation is this: Jesus shares our humanity. He knows our story from the inside out.
What This Means for You Today
As I stand in the pulpit at St. Anne’s, I can look down the nave to the font at the back. It’s placed there intentionally. Every time you walk past a font, you are invited to "zoom in and pan out" on your own story.
Zoom In: Recall your own baptism or the baptisms of loved ones. Think of the thousands of people who have stood at that font throughout history, each one a unique part of the story of this church.
Pan Out: Remember that through baptism, you are adopted into God’s family. You aren't just a face in the crowd; you are a brother or sister of Christ.
When God looked at Jesus in the Jordan, He said: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” When you truly grasp that God says the same to you—that you are beautiful and beloved—it transforms how you see the world.
The God of Your Postcode
Jesus began His ministry not in a palace, but in the midst of seeking, struggling people. He is not lofty or unattainable; He is present and accessible.
Be encouraged this week. The eternal Word of God, the Creator of the stars, understands your weaknesses and shares your story. In fact, you could say the eternal Word of God literally shares your postcode.