This ancient icon of the theophany depicts Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River. Iconography is an Eastern Christian art tradition that uncovers the spiritual realities underneath temporal events. Let us take some time together to ponder the spiritual reality depicted in this icon.

The icon is clearly divided into three different sections—the two banks of the Jordan and, in the center, where Christ stands. Each bank of the Jordan spires up into a mountain. These mountains represent the two heavenly and the earthly worlds, which Christ spans the divide between. On one bank, the earthly realm, stands John the Baptist, who baptizes Christ. But John’s gaze is focused not on Jesus, but on the Holy Spirit descending from above. On the right bank, the heavenly world, angels wait to minister to and clothe Christ the King. The true heart of the scene is the revelation to John and to us that Jesus is the Christ, our Messiah and God’s beloved Son.

At the lower edge of the icon, there are two figures, who represent the water itself responding to the power of the Creator entering into the river. These figures are inspired by the words of the psalmist: “The sea looked and fled, the Jordan turned back” (Psalm 114:3).

One final piece of symbolism is the ax stuck in the small tree below John the Baptist. The ax in the tree symbolizes his words in Luke’s and Matthew’s Gospels: “Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree, therefore, that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Lk 3:9). This prophecy of John’s is an eschatological prophecy, meaning that it looks towards the end of the world. Israel saw the Messiah as an eschatological figure—one who would usher in the final Kingdom of God—just as we look forward to Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time.

In Christ’s theophany, we see the spiritual reality of Baptism revealed. We, like the Baptist, and like Children of Israel, await our final end—union with God in heaven. As we meditate on this triumphant image of the Baptism of Christ, which reveals Jesus as God’s anointed one and our savior, let us ask ourselves how our Baptism reveals God’s mission for us. How are we, today, called to bring God’s love to those we meet, and help build the Kingdom of God in our community today?