Was Jesus Baptized

1. Why was Jesus Baptized? –27th
December 2015
“Look, theLamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).
There isan importantquestionthatwasaskedat a bible study.He inquired:We learnthat Johnthe
Baptistprovidedabaptismthatservedas a signof repentance,butJesuswaswithoutsin Hebrews
4:15,”For we do not have a highpriest whois unableto empathize withour weaknesses, but we have
one who hasbeen tempted inevery way, justas we are—yet he didnot sin.).So whydidJohnbaptize
Jesus?
At first,evenJohnthe BaptistsoughttodismissJesus'requestforbaptism.He said,"ButJohntried to
deter him,saying,“Ineed to be baptizedby you,and do youcome to me?" (Matthew 3:14). John
recognizedJesuswasthe Lambof God who takesawaythe sinof the worldin John 1:29, “The next day
Johnsaw Jesus comingtoward himand said,“Look,the Lamb of God,whotakes away the sin of the
world!” Therefore he saidthatJesusChrist didnotneedtobe baptizedtoshow His repentance. John
the BaptistconsentedafterJesusreplied: “…Letitbe sonow; it is proper for us to do thisto fulfill all
righteousness.” ThenJohn consented." (Matthew3:15).
Several factorsexplainwhythe perfectSonof Godchose to be baptized.First,Jesussoughttomake a
clearconnectionwithJohnthe Baptist. We can learnwhenJesusrefersto Johnthe Baptistas the "voice
of one cryinginthe wilderness" aswe can read in Matthew 3:3, “This is he who was spokenof through
the prophet Isaiah:“A voiceof one callinginthe wilderness,‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make
straightpaths for him”. Johnthe Baptistwas the one to announce the Messiah, andtherefore itwas
fittingforhimto dedicate JesusforHispublicministry. Second,Jesus'baptismconnectedthe humanity
of Jesuswiththe restof humanity.ThoughHe waswithoutsin,He tookon the form of a man and
identifiedwithhumanexperiences.ThisevenincludedHisexperienceof beingbaptized,apractice He
wouldlatercommandof all His followers aswe can learnfrom Matthew 28:18-20, “Then Jesus came to
them and said, “All authorityinheaven and onearth hasbeen given to me. 19
Therefore goand make
disciplesofall nations,baptizingthemin the name of the Father and ofthe Sonand of the Holy Spirit,
20
andteachingthem to obey everythingI have commandedyou. Andsurely I am with you always,to
the very end of the age.”.
Third,Jesus'baptismprovidedan example.JesustoldHisdisciplesto follow the needforBaptismaswe
can read above InMatthew 28:18-20. We can learn from the above passage before Jesusascendedto
heavenHe tellsthemtoobserve all that He hascommandedyou. He said: “All authorityin heaven and
on earth has been givento me”. He alsogave a promise “AndsurelyI amwith you always,to the very
end of the age”." Therefore we canunderstandthat JesusbeganHispublicministrywith Hisbaptism;
and that He commandedall Hisfollowerstobaptize others atthe endof Hispublicministryonearth.
Fourth, as we read inthe above passage the baptismof Jesusprovided the firstexplicitmentioninthe
NewTestamentinvolvingall three membersof the Triune God. The passage in Matthew 3:16-17 we can
read:"As soon asJesus was baptized,he went up out of the water. At that momentheaven was
opened,and he saw the Spirit ofGod descendinglikea dove and alightingonhim. 17
Anda voice from
heaven said,“Thisis my Son,whom I love; withhim I am well pleased.” Jesus,the Spirit,andthe voice
of God the Fatherall appearat one time,revealingthe uniquenessof eachPersonof the Trinitywhile
affirmingtheiressential unity.

2. In summary,the baptismof Jesus isan importantoccurrence forChristiansbecause it includes
enormoustheological significance.ItaffirmedJesusasthe MessiahwhomJohn the Baptistspoke of,
revealedthe humanityof Jesus,providedanexample forothers,anddisplayedabeautiful picture of the
Triune God amongthe earliestfollowersof Jesus…andbefore He wasascendedHe alsoinstructedHis
disciples onthe needforbaptizing followers inthe name of the Fatherand of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit:“Then Jesus came to them andsaid, “All authorityin heaven andon earth has been given to me.
19
Therefore go and make disciples ofall nations,baptizingthemin the name ofthe Father andof the
Son andof the Holy Spirit, 20
andteaching them to obey everythingI havecommandedyou. And surely
I am with youalways,to the very end of the age” Matthew 28:18-20).
“Look, theLamb of God, who takes away
The sin of the world!”(John1:29).