March 10, 2022

Matthew 3: 13-15 (NIV)

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

Christ’s baptism might create misunderstanding, just as His associating with publicans and sinners did. He was content to be misunderstood.*

According to the apostle John in chapter 1, verse 33 of his gospel, John the Baptist was not surprised to see Jesus coming to him for his services. So we probably shouldn’t read this as John the Baptist’s attempt to talk Jesus out of being baptized but perhaps as a sign of the man’s humility and his recognition that Jesus wasn’t just his cousin.

There is nothing in the New Testament to indicate any significance to the role of baptizer. Jesus could have quietly had his baptism conducted by one of his disciples but he needed to make a point and John provided a very public platform from which to deliver his message.

When we present ourselves to be baptized, we confess our sinfulness and repent from it. Jesus had no sin so he had no need for confession or repentance. We are baptized for the washing away of our sins; Jesus was already clean. But he submitted to baptism the same way he submitted to every command of his Father. 

As observed by another writer, Jesus’ purpose was to be the sacrifice for our sin, and not so much to be an example of how to live a sinless life - since we can't. There are “crucial aspects” of his life, this writer claims, that are "unique about him” and we cannot imitate them.* Jesus’ baptism is not one of those things that we are unable to imitate. He was baptized to “fulfill all righteousness.” If he had to do it, why shouldn’t I?

It is indeed correct to say that baptism is a washing away of sins, but the expression is too weak and mild to bring out the full significance of baptism which is rather a symbol of death and resurrection. For this reason I would have those who are to be baptized completely immersed in water as the Word says, and as the mystery indicates.*