Why would Jesus need to be baptized?
Our question this week centers on the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. These verses can be confusing and difficult for believers to grasp. Why would Jesus need to be baptized by John? Since Jesus was perfect and sinless He didn't need to express repentance so why would He do this?
The Bible is clear-God sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus Christ. He did this through a public ministry of preaching and baptizing. His baptism was a public way of preparing the people of Israel to repent of their sins and ultimately to believe in Jesus as the Messiah. Of note to us is the description of John's baptism - "a baptism of repentance" (Acts 19:4). This description helps us understand John's role as forerunner to Jesus. But the question still remains 'Why did Jesus have to do this?'
In answering this question we need to understand that there was a larger purpose that Jesus had in mind by being baptized by John the Baptist. Although Jesus was sinless and thus without the need to repent, there was still profound meaning in what He did to "fulfill all righteousness" (Matt. 3:15). Specifically this means that Jesus was here identifying Himself with sinners. He will ultimately fulfill and complete a sinless life with a spotless righteousness by bearing our sins on the cross and be raised on the third day. It is this perfect and complete righteousness that Jesus accomplished that will be imputed to us (2 Cor. 5:21). The act of baptism by John the Baptist was a necessary part of His full righteousness He secured for sinners. Other powerful dimensions to this first public event of the ministry of Jesus include:
1. It pictured His death and resurrection
2. It therefore prefigured the significance of Christian baptism
3. It marked His first public identification with those whose sins He would bear
4. It was a public affirmation of His messiahship by testimony directly from heaven. The Father's command to hear His Son and the Spirit's confirmation officially inaugurated Christ's ministry.
So, as always, God had in mind something much more profound and meaningful than we see at first sight. Praise God!
The Bible is clear-God sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus Christ. He did this through a public ministry of preaching and baptizing. His baptism was a public way of preparing the people of Israel to repent of their sins and ultimately to believe in Jesus as the Messiah. Of note to us is the description of John's baptism - "a baptism of repentance" (Acts 19:4). This description helps us understand John's role as forerunner to Jesus. But the question still remains 'Why did Jesus have to do this?'
In answering this question we need to understand that there was a larger purpose that Jesus had in mind by being baptized by John the Baptist. Although Jesus was sinless and thus without the need to repent, there was still profound meaning in what He did to "fulfill all righteousness" (Matt. 3:15). Specifically this means that Jesus was here identifying Himself with sinners. He will ultimately fulfill and complete a sinless life with a spotless righteousness by bearing our sins on the cross and be raised on the third day. It is this perfect and complete righteousness that Jesus accomplished that will be imputed to us (2 Cor. 5:21). The act of baptism by John the Baptist was a necessary part of His full righteousness He secured for sinners. Other powerful dimensions to this first public event of the ministry of Jesus include:
1. It pictured His death and resurrection
2. It therefore prefigured the significance of Christian baptism
3. It marked His first public identification with those whose sins He would bear
4. It was a public affirmation of His messiahship by testimony directly from heaven. The Father's command to hear His Son and the Spirit's confirmation officially inaugurated Christ's ministry.
So, as always, God had in mind something much more profound and meaningful than we see at first sight. Praise God!
Posted in Questions
Posted in Jesus, Baptism, John the Baptist, repentance, Matthew 3, Messiah, public ministry, Christ, baptism of repentance, Acts 19
Posted in Jesus, Baptism, John the Baptist, repentance, Matthew 3, Messiah, public ministry, Christ, baptism of repentance, Acts 19
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