“Why was Jesus baptized?”
The question threw me for a loop. We had been discussing baptism, and the reason for baptism, with our daughter. Yet, as she was reading through the gospels, she wasn’t sure she understood why Jesus was baptized.
In Luke 3, we find Jesus going down to the river to be baptized by John. The baptism of the Old Testament, which was the tradition Jesus was following, was for a washing away of sins. Yet, as my daughter had pointed out- Jesus was sinless. Why did he need to be baptized? What can we learn about our own baptism from this act of our Savior?
The Baptism of Jesus
- To show submission to the Father – Jesus was 100% God, and 100% man. By getting baptized, Jesus showed his submission to God the Father and an act of obedience to God. It also helped him to relate to mankind. There was no sin remission that was needed – but it would be a connection point to humanity.
- To begin His Public Ministry – When someone began public ministry, they often went before the temple leaders. Jesus did not want to associate with these leaders, who were often corrupt. Jesus wanted to show that His ministry was ordained from God.
- To give an example for us to follow- Jesus public ministry spoke much into the way that we as Christians should live and do ministry. His baptism was also an example of this.
What Can We Learn From Jesus Baptism?
There are things that we can learn from the baptism of Jesus. Each of the reasons listed above speaks into our own baptism.
We get baptized to show that we have enter into a relationship with God. It is an outward picture of the inward reality that has taken place. Baptism does not save you – but it is an act of obedience and submission to the Father.
Baptism began Jesus public ministry- and when we are baptized, as a first act of obedience – we are also at a point where we are able to begin to minister to those around us.
We follow baptism as Christ did it. Baptism should be full immersion, where one goes down into the water and is raised. Baptism is after one has surrendered their life to Christ and is ready to begin living out the Christian life- where their ministry should flow.
Jesus was baptized in obedience to the Father and as an example to us as believers. God blessed the baptism of Jesus, and it is from this point that Jesus begins His Public Ministry.
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