21
さて、民衆がみなバプテスマを受けたとき、イエスもバプテスマを受けて祈っておられると、天が開けて、
ルカによる福音書 3:21 : Jesus Prays at His Baptism
Jesus Prays at His Baptism
Durch New Christian Bible Study Staff
Jesus Prays at His Baptism
Luke 3:21, 22: "And it came to pass when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus, having been baptized, was praying, that heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily appearance like a dove upon Him, and there was a voice from heaven, saying, “Thou art My beloved Son; in Thee I am well pleased.”
Although this episode is also reported in Matthew and Mark, the Gospel of Luke is the only one which mentions that Jesus prayed during His baptism. This emphasis upon prayer in Luke is consistent with the premise that a major theme of this gospel is the reformation of our understanding—the part of our mind that is focused on learning truth, having faith, and communing with God in prayer.
The beautiful words, “heaven was opened,” suggest that a revelation took place as Jesus prayed, a revelation which found expression in the divine utterance: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22).
This episode speaks to each of us of the importance of prayer in our lives. These are the times when we turn inward in search of the Father, listening for guidance, instruction, comfort, inspiration, and revelation. This process of turning inward in search of that which is deeply spiritual is essential. Without it, our efforts to serve others will be based on the weak and crumbling foundation of our own self-hood. We should never let our egos interfere with the great work the Lord wants to do through us. In prayer, we quiet the inner chatter, we enter the stillness, we speak to God and listen for the divine response. As it is written in the Hebrew scriptures, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
“The Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him” (Habakkuk 2:20).
To silence “the earth” is to temporarily put aside the cares of the external world while resting in God. In brief, it is the endeavor to silence the voice of the ego long enough to hear the voice of God. This is at the heart of a contemplative life. 1
Before beginning any vital work, the first step is to begin with prayer. Jesus’ baptism in Luke captures this idea beautifully. Jesus was about to begin His public ministry. But before the heavens could be opened to Him, before the revelation and the inspiration could come, Jesus needed to take that first crucial step. He needed to pray: “And while He prayed, heaven was opened.” It was only then that He was ready to begin His public ministry. As it is written, “Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age”.
Teachings like these remind us of how important it is to precede action with contemplation, and precede public service with private devotion. While ministry and service are noble ends, they must be filled with the wisdom of spiritual purpose. Behind every successful, worthwhile action is a life grounded in contemplation and prayer. 2
Fußnoten:
1. See Arcana Coelestia 2535: “Praying is nothing else than internal speech with the Divine, and at the same time revelation.” See also Arcana Coelestia 636: “The ‘earth’ signifies self-love and whatever is contrary to heaven.”
2. The idea that prayer should precede action is beautifully illustrated in the following passage about “Charity in the Common Soldier”: “Before the battle he raises his mind to the Lord, and commits his life into His hand; and after he has done this, he lets his mind down from its elevation into the body and becomes brave; the thought of the Lord—which he is then unconscious of—still remains in his mind, above his bravery. And then if he dies, he dies in the Lord; if he lives, he lives in the Lord” (Charity 166).
Genesis 20
1
Abraham traveled from there toward the land of the South, and lived between Kadesh and Shur. He lived as a foreigner in Gerar.
2
Abraham said about Sarah his wife, "She is my sister." Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.
3
But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, "Behold, you are a dead man, because of the woman whom you have taken. For she is a man's wife."
4
Now Abimelech had not come near her. He said, "Lord, will you kill even a righteous nation?
5
Didn't he tell me, 'She is my sister?' She, even she herself, said, 'He is my brother.' In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands have I done this."
6
God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also withheld you from sinning against me. Therefore I didn't allow you to touch her.
7
Now therefore, restore the man's wife. For he is a prophet, and he will pray for you, and you will live. If you don't restore her, know for sure that you will die, you, and all who are yours."
8
Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ear. The men were very scared.
9
Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said to him, "What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done deeds to me that ought not to be done!"
10
Abimelech said to Abraham, "What did you see, that you have done this thing?"
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Abraham said, "Because I thought, 'Surely the fear of God is not in this place. They will kill me for my wife's sake.'
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Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
13
It happened, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said to her, 'This is your kindness which you shall show to me. Everywhere that we go, say of me, "He is my brother."'"
14
Abimelech took sheep and cattle, male servants and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and restored Sarah, his wife, to him.
15
Abimelech said, "Behold, my land is before you. Dwell where it pleases you."
16
To Sarah he said, "Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. Behold, it is for you a covering of the eyes to all that are with you. In front of all you are vindicated."
17
Abraham prayed to God. God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his female servants, and they bore children.
18
For Yahweh had closed up tight all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.
