What does Jesus mean by: I have a baptism to be baptized with?

Jesus spoke about his baptism and how he longed for it to be accomplished. This baptism refers to his death on the cross, which he desired because of the love it would bring to humanity. Baptism represents death and through it, believers unite with Christ and die to their old selves. Jesus asked his disciples if they could handle his baptism, meaning they would also experience suffering and death. Christians must be able to say they have a baptism to be baptized with, meaning they have died with Christ and committed themselves to him. Baptism is not just about being immersed in water, but about identifying with Christ's death on the cross. Good morning friends, thank you for having us. Thank you for your time. You are on the program, Our Weekly Exhortation. My name is E. Lanyon, servant of God, servant of Jesus Christ. Our Lord Jesus, talking to his disciples, said this, But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how I am threatened till it be accomplished. Luke chapter 12 verse 50. Could we help each other on that statement? Before he began his ministry, the Lord Jesus, according to the will of his Father, submitted willingly and was baptized by John the Baptist in Jordan. When he was baptized and went up straight away from the water, the scripture says, the heavens were opened unto him, which means God approves his obedience. Matthew chapter 3 verse 17. So from that time on, as we read in Matthew chapter 4 verse 17, Jesus began his ministry by calling people to repentance. It was necessary that the baptism of Jesus precede his ministry because, by his baptism, Jesus wanted to identify himself with the human condition. But almost in the midst of his ministry, and against all expectations, Jesus spoke about his baptism. He says, but I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how I am threatened till it be accomplished. Luke chapter 12 verse 50. Friend, if Jesus was to be baptized before he began his ministry, which he did according to God's plan, why was he threatened about his baptism? But what about this baptism Jesus referred to afterwards? To better understand this verse, I would like us to know what baptism is. In fact, baptism is the act by which the believer unites with the Lord Jesus. Through this union with Christ, we identify ourselves with him in his death on the cross. In the baptism ceremony, we make an oath of allegiance to God. We welcome him as Lord and Savior into our lives and commit ourselves to remain faithful to him. Now, let's read again Luke chapter 12 verse 50. Jesus says, but I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how I am threatened till it be accomplished. Praise the Lord. Have you noticed something strange in this passage? The fact is that Jesus longed to receive this baptism. But wasn't Jesus already baptized by John the Baptist? Why was Jesus threatened about this baptism? In fact, in this verse, we have a little phrase that we need to understand. And that phrase is, to be baptized with a baptism. To be baptized with a baptism. This expression refers to the death of Christ. It's about baptism of his death. In the Bible, baptism represents death. When we are baptized in Jesus Christ, we show that we die with Christ. We identify with his death. This is what baptism is meant to symbolize. Let's see what the word of God says about it. In Mark chapter 10 verse 38 to 39, we find this same expression, a baptism of which one must be baptized. You give the healing and grace our hearts always hunger for. Oh, hearts always hunger for. In this passage, in Mark chapter 10 verse 38 to 39, James and John approached Jesus to ask him for a favor. They say this, Lord, when you will be in your glory, make it possible for us to sit down with you. Mark chapter 10 verse 37. In turn, the Lord Jesus asked them this question. The cup that I am going to drink, can you drink it? The baptism of which I will be baptized, can you be baptized? Verse 38. With this word, Jesus was referring to the suffering that would lead him to his death. So, both the expression to drink the cup and to be baptized with his baptism designate death. Can you handle it? Jesus asked them. James and John answered, Yes, Lord, we can. Then Jesus said to them, The cup that I will drink, you drink it. And the baptism with which I am about to be baptized, you will be baptized with it. In short, Jesus was saying, my death will be your death. This is the very meaning of baptism, friend. Furthermore, when we read Luke chapter 12 verse 50, we can feel that Jesus found it difficult to contain his emotions when he spoke of his baptism because he really wanted it to happen. He said, How distressed I am until it is accomplished. How afflicted I am until it is accomplished. How consumed I am until it is accomplished. But, do you know for which reason our Lord Jesus was so keen to see that baptism accomplished? Do you know how cramped he was until this baptism is done? In fact, it is not that Jesus wanted death, but he desired what his death would bring to humanity, what love. We will conclude this message. You know, in the mind of Christ, baptism means death. We read it in Mark chapter 10 verse 38 to 39. When Jesus says, I have a baptism to be baptized with, he was referring to the suffering that would lead him to his death. It is not about baptism which consists of being immersed in water. It would surprise us greatly since he received his baptism just prior to the start of his ministry. You know, anyone who comes to Jesus must be able to say, I have a baptism to be baptized with. Just like James and John confess it when Jesus asked them. For the death of Jesus must become our death. This is the very meaning of baptism. Through baptism, we were united with Christ at his death on the cross. You know, Christians are people who have experienced death as the apostle Paul so rightly said. Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death. Voila! We will stop here for today. Please, join me next week. This time, God willing. Take care. Shalom. You