Baptism 02: Baptism for Jesus
Orientate
John and Jesus were related so they knew about each other. But when Jesus turned up to be baptised along with John’s converts, John was absolutely flabbergasted. Like why did Jesus want to be baptised? John was calling people to repent and turn away from sin. But Jesus was sinless. John was preparing people to be part of a new move of God. But Jesus was this new move of God. He didn’t need to prepare for anything. Can you see John’s dilemma? Why on earth was Jesus wanting to be baptised. It just didn’t make sense. As John puts it to Jesus, “You should be baptising me.”
Explore: Matthew 3:13-17
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptised 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 fulfil all righteousness.” Then John consented.
16 As soon as Jesus was baptised, 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.”
Journal
Journal for a few minutes on the following questions:
1. What is God saying to me? Which verse is most significant?
2. What do I want to discuss/explore further?
3. What do I need to do?
4. Why do you think Jesus chose to be baptised?
Reflect
To appreciate what is happening here, you need to understand the timing of this event. Up until now, Jesus has been working as a tradie (probably a chippie) in his small hometown of Nazareth. He has led a very ordinary and mostly uneventful life for about 30 years. Very few people know who he is. But God is stirring in him and he recognises that his preaching and healing ministry is about to begin. So he leaves home and heads towards the Jordan River to be baptised by John. Something new is going to happen.
Obviously, Jesus’ baptism was not about repentance. He had nothing to repent of. But it was about commencement and inauguration. It was like the appointing of a new prime minister after an election. They have a new role; a new calling. By being baptised, Jesus was indicating his availability to God to do whatever was needed. Through his baptism, Jesus indicated that he was committed to bring in God’s new kingdom and God responded by sending his Spirit to empower him for this mission. And of course, God the Father was incredibly pleased with and proud of his Son.
So Jesus shows us that baptism in not just about repentance, but can also be about commitment and a new empowerment. Sometimes I’m asked, “Is there any point in being baptised if I’ve been a Christian for a long time?” I always point to Jesus. He was baptised after serving God for 30 years. I grew up following Jesus, but at 15 I knew that I had to be baptised like Jesus. I knew that it was time to declare publicly that Jesus had saved me and that I would follow him for the rest of my life.
John was shocked by Jesus’ request for baptism, but he finally agreed. As soon as Jesus came out of the water, the heavens opened, and the power of the Spirit fell on Jesus. John wouldn’t have missed it for the world. God was at work in a new way.
Pray
Lord I’m at the start of something new. This is both exciting and daunting. May I follow in your footsteps. May I obey like you. You have set the example. May my baptism bring honour to God and a fresh empowerment for all you have called me to do with you.
Respond
Write a list of questions you have about baptism.
