Growing In Godliness Blog
“Jesus Baptized”
Categories: Author: Paul Earnhart, Baptism, Jesus, Obedience, Salvation, SubmissionJesus Baptized
By Paul Earnhart
When Jesus was about 30 years old, His cousin, John the Baptist, began his preaching campaign. “Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’” (Mt. 3:1-2). John was preparing the way of the Lord.
Mark records in Mark 1:4-5 that John’s preaching included “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins.”
Verse 9 tells us that “in those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.” (Mk. 1:9) John was actually reluctant to baptize Jesus. John’s baptism was “for forgiveness of sins.” But Jesus had no sins, so “John tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?’ But Jesus answering said to him, ‘Permit it at this time, for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness’” (Mt. 3:14-15).
From the very beginning of the mature life of Jesus, we see His firm determination to do everything God wanted done. Coming to John for baptism was not a convenient thing for Jesus. In fact, He had to walk about 60 miles from His home to get to the place where John was baptizing. He did not need baptism, as others did, for the forgiveness of sins. But John was a preacher from God, he was preaching baptism, and Jesus wanted to do whatever God wanted people to do. Do you want to do God’s will enough that you would walk 60 miles to do it?
Jesus has commanded baptism for us (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38). Many people, however, hesitate. Some do not feel it is necessary; others complain that it is inconvenient. Such excuses are not Christ-like. He was determined to “fulfill all righteousness.” Are you?
