Murals (2008) by PHANTAST - Graffiti - Cultural Music & Art Association inc. - 98 Milne St. Benleigh
The Baptism and Examination of Jesus.
Our Lord Jesus Christ asked John for baptism 'to fulfill the righteousness' (Matthew 3:15), meaning to submit to the plan of God for the salvation of the human race. This involves Jesus' identification with sinners; hence the propriety of his accepting John'd baptism.
Jesus, proclaimed Son of God at his baptism, is subjetced to a triple temptation.
Obedience to the Father is a characteristic of the true sonship, and Jesus is tempted by the devil to rebel against God.
1. Jesus refuses to use his power for his own benefit and accepts whatever God wills.
2. Jesus refusses to "test" God by demanding from Him an extraordinary show of power.
3. The worship of Satan to which Jesus is tempted is probably intended to recall Israel's worship of false gods.
Each refusal of Jesus is expressed in language taken from the Book of Deuteronomy 8:3 (the 5th Book in the Bible).
The testings of Jesus resemble those of Israel during the wandering in the desert and later in Canaan for 40 years.
The victory of Jesus, the true Israel and the true Son, contrasts with the failure of the ancient and disobedient 'son', the old Israel.