Jesus is Baptized

 

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:13-17, English Standard Version)

Only two and a half weeks ago, we celebrated the birth of Jesus, and now, in just a blink of an eye, just like with our own sons, that tiny baby is a grown man.  

We always think of baptism as a way of washing away our sins, so why was Jesus baptized if He was sinless? When I went looking for that answer, I found more than I had anticipated. Such as: Jesus was baptized to show humility and set an example for others, to fulfill all righteousness, to show God confirming Jesus was His Son, and to be able to begin His ministry.

I don’t know. All of those reasons are probably accurate, but I’m all about keeping it simple. Jesus had to be baptized because even though He would never sin, He became one of us when He came to earth. But the part I focus on is when God says to Jesus, “This is my beloved Child who I am pleased with.”

I want to be a beloved child, too. I want to please God and hear Him say those words to me someday when I meet Him in heaven.