13. Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
15. Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.’ 16. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
When Jesus comes to John to be baptized, immediately John recognizes the theological problem. Jesus does not need repentance. According to Hebrews 4, He was without sin. There is nothing for Him to confess or repent so this leads us to the obvious question - why was Jesus baptized? Jesus said it was to fulfill righteousness. Simply put, it means I want to do what God wants me to do, no questions asked.
The Father used baptism to introduce Jesus, I believe, for three reasons. First this was a means of introducing Jesus to Israel. John had been proclaiming the Messiah was coming. John had been told that the Spirit coming upon Jesus would be a sign. At His baptism was the unveiling and announcement by God’s voice, “This is my Son of whom I am well pleased.” It was the beginning of a new life for Christ, from the carpenter to the Savior of the world. It symbolizes a new beginning.
Second, we understand that the meaning of immersion is different for the Christian. Jesus’ baptism was a prophetic acting out of Christ’s mission. The next time we read about baptism is when Jesus commands us to baptize in the triune name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In Roman 6 we have a new understanding that just as Jesus died, was buried, and rose again, so baptism is a picture of death, burial, and resurrection by going under the water and up again. We symbolize outwardly that we have died to our old nature, have been buried with Christ on the cross, and have been forgiven of our sins. We are raised as new creatures and children of God.
It also gives the future prophecy of death, burial, and resurrection of our bodies when Christ returns 1 Corinthians 15:3 says that “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that He was buried and raised on the third day. I believe Christ fulfilled the righteousness of His Father by being baptized to prophetically introduce the death, burial, and resurrection which was salvation’s plan.
Third, I believe it was to set an example for us. Jesus commanded that we are to be baptized. We are saved first by repentance and confessing sin to God. We believe Christ died on the cross, paying the penalty for our sins, and then we accept by faith God's gift of everlasting life. You do that by prayer commitment from your heart to God.
Many might say they already have been baptized as a baby. That was the decision of their parents. Jesus was circumcised and dedicated to God when he was eight days old. That was a wonderful religious rite decided by His parents. However, Jesus didn't have a choice. When He was 30 years old, He dedicated Himself out of obedience for add adult baptism. This was to commit His life to the call of God on his life. If you have not been baptized, consider the example that Jesus gave, as an expression of your faith, salvation, and commitment to follow the Lord. It serves as a public declaration to God and others that you are a believer.
We have not only John's introduction of Jesus, but the Father's introduction of His Son. At the moment Jesus came up out of the water, heaven was opened, and John saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove. Even though there may have been hundreds of eyes and ears watching and listening, this was mostly about Jesus and God, as if Jesus had an audience of one.
Prayer: Lord, let me live my life to an audience of one; to You Almighty Father.
