But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am I straightened till it be accomplished. Luke 12:50
Some of the disciples were there when John baptized Jesus in Jordan. They could remember that event, and the subsequent pronouncement from Heaven that God was well pleased with His Son (Mark 1:11). Nobody who was there could ever forget that! Nor could they forget John Baptist pointed to Jesus and declared Him to be the Lamb of God (John 1:29,35). And now in our text, the Lord Jesus is telling His disciples that He has another baptism coming. Why does he need another baptism? And why is He straitened (restricted) until after that baptism?
We know the purpose for which the Lord Jesus was born: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). And we know that by coming into the world, by establishing Himself as the Lamb of God, and by His sacrifice of Himself on the Cross, He has provided salvation for all who will believe. So the baptism that he is referring to in our text is the shame and suffering that He endured for us in the events leading up to the crucifixion and in the agonies He endured on the cross. Everything that He endured was beyond what any of us could have taken, although we were deserving of receiving it, and would have received it had we not been reached by the Gospel and saved. Because He was a sinless and perfect Sacrifice, He could endure what was beyond us. And He could accomplish, or complete, that baptism. There are two different view of what He had in mind when He referred to being straightened until His baptism was accomplished.
First, the purpose of our Lord’s coming was to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). To that purpose He directed Himself, making no detours or alternative routes on His way to Calvary. All of His miracles, all of His messages, and everything else He did, were all the display of His power and His perfection, His proof that He was the acceptable sacrifice. Into this great purpose, He was straitened, allowing nothing to interfere or to sidetrack. So He becomes our Saviour and our great example of devotion to God.
The baptism of the Lord Jesus at Calvary is also that which released all of which was restricted by the Old Testament economy. The sacrifices on Jewish altars had their purpose. But those who observed those ordinances did so under the limitations of the law. According to the law, sacrifices were continual, with an altar in the Holy Place ever burning and never satisfied. That limitation was lifted by the sacrifice that was made once for all at Calvary. Also lifted was the fear that a sacrifice might not be worthy or acceptable. God has already declared His satisfaction with the offering of His Son.
The Lord Jesus has obtained liberty in His work on the cross. We enter into that liberty as we appreciate His baptism for us there. -Jim MacIntosh