The Morning Cup -- "Baptizing Jesus"

John the baptizer probably immersed thousands of people during his ministry of preaching "the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins". All of Judea and those of Jerusalem went out to be baptized by him in the river Jordan, Mark's account states. Thus, John the baptist was the first messenger from God to break the silence of some four hundred years since Malachi. His appearance and remarkable message attracted the attention of the Jewish people, and his preaching was heard by rather large audiences in spite of the remote wilderness areas where most of his preaching was done. He made such an impression on some that they "reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not". Yet, John's sense of truth and humility caused him to say , "I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before Him".

I doubt that John knew the names and backgrounds of the greater number of those he baptized. He knew only that they were sinners in need of repentance before being able to receive the kingdom. But there was one out of the multitude whom John would never forget baptizing. That one was Jesus of Nazareth to most, but to John the baptist He was "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world". John said that he did not know Jesus, but they were relatives, and he must have been acquainted with Him. Barclay says that what John declared was not that he did not know who Jesus was, but that he did not know what Jesus was. But he was soon to find out.

Is there any amazement at John the Baptist's hesitation to baptize Jesus? Would we all not have reacted similarly? Both John and Jesus recognized this request for baptism was an exceptional case. Jesus certainly could not confess His sins, as others submitting to John's baptism did, for He had no sin. He obviously did not need the remission of sins that accompanied the baptism of John. Yet, there were good reasons why Jesus was baptized.

To Fulfill All Righteousness

Jesus felt it was necessary to obey His Father's will. Even Jesus "learned obedience". He was baptized in spite of His unique circumstances. Superficially, it appears that if Jesus needed baptism in the same manner as did all others, then He would not be qualified to be our Savior. However, when we look a bit deeper we understand that if Jesus had not submitted to the command, then He would not be the example of obedience to God in all things that He teaches His disciples to be! Later, Jesus Himself gave a command that believers should be baptized. He did not ask believers to do something that He was not willing to do. What good master would require more of his servants than he himself was willing to obey? Jesus "fulfills all righteousness" by being baptized because it was God's will.

To Begin His "Spirit-filled" Ministry

The baptism of Jesus marked the beginning of His public ministry. To John the baptist, the appearance of the Spirit upon Jesus was a sign that Christ would baptize with something more than water. Jesus was being baptized in the Jordan by John; but He was also being overwhelmed by the Spirit. Jesus was conscious of His anointing by the Holy Spirit for the beginning of His public work, for after His baptism He preached His first sermon at Nazareth using Isaiah 61:1 as a text, where the prophet said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me; because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor."

To Be Acknowledged As God's Son

Immediately after His immersion, God said: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." To be acknowledged as one of God's children is the ultimate need of all who seek heaven. As a Son, it must have thrilled Jesus' heart to know He had pleased His Father. For us, Scripture does not teach that we should expect the same thunderous approval from heaven of our sonship to God, but we can know that He is our Father and we are His children.

If Jesus felt it was necessary to obey the Father's will, surely none of us are exempt. It is not possible for mere servants (us) to be greater than their Master (Jesus). If we would walk in the Spirit, and have Him as a witness that we are sons of God, and joint-heirs with Christ, we will do what Jesus did and commanded. To claim to be a son of God apart from being baptized for the remission of sins is foolish. There are so many people today who claim an allegiance to Jesus, but they have never been baptized into Christ. They balk at the command to be baptized. Friends, I would have serious doubts about my own salvation if I claimed to follow Jesus, but only to the banks of the river Jordan.

MR