The Significance of Jesus' Baptism

Text: Matt 3:13 -17

At the height of the Revival Ministry of John the Baptist at the River Jordan, suddenly there appeared Jesus our Lord also seeking Baptism. What is the significance of Jesus' Baptism when He is the Spotless Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world (Jn 1:29 )?. Besides, He who requests baptism is the same who baptises with the Holy Spirit (Jn 1:33 ).

The Baptism of Jesus, according to our Lord, is "to fulfill all righteousness" (Matt 3:15 ). As the Son of Man growing up under the Law of Moses, He fulfilled righteousness by being circumcised on the 8th day, and after 33 days of Mary's purification, was presented before God with the offering of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons (Lk 2:22-24).

To fulfil another righteousness Jesus followed Mary and Joseph to Jerusalem to keep the Passover, at the age of 12. There He also became conscious God was His Father (Lk 2:49 ).

Now at the age of 30 He is to enter His public ministry, like a priest taking office at 30. To take office He must be ordained. Now, in the consecration of priests there is the rite of washing (Ex 30:17-21). Jesus' Baptism is not a sinner's baptism because He had no sin. J.C. Ryle concludes that His washing is His consecration as God's High Priest.

As the High Priest of God after the order of Melchizedek, He did not what the Aaronic High Priest did, having to offer up sacrifice for his own sins first and then for the people, but this He did once when He offered up Himself. Therefore He is the One to baptise those who repent of their sins by believing in Him. In order to inaugurate this New Testament rite He was baptised by John to hallow it. Are you baptised yet after you have believed in Jesus? Be quick to fulfil this righteousness! For Jesus said, " He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mk 16:16 ).

After baptism, whether by immersion or by ablution (the Bible is silent), Jesus "went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Here is the full manifestation of the Holy Trinity in action. According to B.B. Warfield this is "God in heaven, God on earth, God descending from heaven to earth." Why? Because the Son is now entering the weighty mission of working out God's Salvation Plan for mankind, a most stupendous task. As for a servant of God, all the more the pastor, before entering the ministry, needs the hands and prayers of the Presbytery to ordain him. He also has an onerous task and God's Word prescribes his ordination.

Jesus is the Pattern for us pastors. We are not revivalists like John the Baptist. We live with and among the people, involved with their joys and their sorrows. Jesus the Perfect Man goes to bless a wedding, even making wine to relieve an embarrassing situation. He goes to funerals and raises Lazarus, while weeping with Mary and consoling Martha. "For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Mk 10:45 ). Amen.