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| Baptism of Christ |
It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mark 1:9-11).
John is in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance. He is Elijah, who was foretold, who would prepare the way of the Lord. The people flock to him, to hear his message, to be baptized by him, to confess their sins. The religious leaders also go out to see John. They are concerned. This man is causing a disturbance. He is upsetting the structure. They ask him to give an account. Just who are you? He confesses plainly that he is not the Christ who was to come: There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.[1] John’s entire purpose is not to gain notoriety for himself. It is not to build up his own ministry. His purpose is to point to Jesus, the fulfillment of God’s promised redemption.
As John continues preaching repentance and baptizing, Jesus comes to him. Jesus tells John that he must baptize Jesus. John is taken aback. I should be baptized by You! Jesus explains. It is to fulfill all righteousness. John relents. He doesn’t understand what Jesus is doing, but he obeys. Jesus is baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus comes up out of the river, God the Spirit descends upon Him. The heavens open. John sees and hears the manifestation of the Triune God. God the Father declares His pleasure with, and approval of Jesus, God the Son.
But why does the sinless Son of God need to be baptized with John’s baptism of repentance? Jesus knew no sin, after all. Jesus is Israel, reduced to one. On the eighth day after His birth, Jesus was circumcised according to the Law. He was brought into the covenant, as all those circumcised before him were. Now, in John’s baptism, Jesus identifies Himself with mankind. He takes responsibility for mankind’s sin. By submitting to John’s baptism, Jesus deliberately took our place as His Father had sent Him to do.[2] It was here that God the Father made Him who knew no sin to become sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God.[3] Immediately after His baptism, Jesus will be driven into the wilderness by the Spirit. Jesus, Israel reduced to one, will be tempted by Satan. A second Exodus and wilderness wandering. Israel was hard-hearted and unfaithful. Jesus remains faithful. He will put right what Israel got wrong. He will resist the temptation of Satan. Being the sinless Savior, God in human flesh, Jesus will go to the cross. He will die as a transgressor, accursed, hung on the tree, that is the cross, the pure and spotless sacrifice for the sins of the world; He will raise to life again on the third day, the victor over sin, death, and the devil. His journey begins here with His baptism by John.
