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The Baptism of Jesus, Mt. 3: 1-17
Jan. 29, 2022
We do not have many details about the Life of Jesus after His birth up to the start of His ministry. We know that while still an infant the Magi came to see this newborn King and shortly thereafter He was taken by Mary and Joseph to Egypt to escape King Herod's attempt to kill Him. (Mt. 2:1-18) After Herod's death Jesus was taken back to Nazareth in Galilee where He would grow to maturity. (Mt. 2: 19-23) Luke in his Gospel records that at the age of twelve Jesus was accidentally left behind in Jerusalem during the Passover. When Mary and Joseph found Him, Jesus was sitting in the temple listening and questioning the teachers; to the amazement of many. (Lu. 2:42-52)
We suspect the rest of Jesus' formative years were as most Israelite males. He went each year to Jerusalem for the Passover. (Lu. 2: 41) He learned carpentry from Joseph. (Mk. 6:3) With no further mention of Joseph after Jesus was left in Jerusalem at age twelve, we assume that by Jesus' entry into adulthood, Joseph had likely died. This would necessitate that Jesus being the eldest of Mary's sons (Mk. 6:3) became the provider for His earthly family.
It is not until the appearance of John the baptist, the forerunner to the Messiah that we learn more about God's Son. John was the son of Elizabeth and Zacharias, relatives of Mary. Jesus was likely a cousin to John. John was approximately six months older than Jesus.
As forerunner to the Messiah, John was to preach the message to Israel that the Messiah was at hand and heartfelt repentance from sin was needed. (Mt. 3: 1-6) The public expression of this repentance was made by one being baptized. Those baptized by John had their sins forgiven by God. (Mk. 1: 4, 5)
There were some who came to John who refused to repent of their sins. Matthew tells us that they were some of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (Mt. 3:7-9) John filled with the Holy Spirit from "the womb" (Lu. 1:15) knew those who were genuine in their repentance, just as Jesus knew that which "was in a man." (Jn. 2: 24, 25) So John rebuked them and urged them to "bear fruits worthy of repentance." (Mt. 3: 7, 8)
The Apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Cor. 7:9, 10, that true repentance is the result of "godly sorrow." Godly sorrow is a feeling of remorse that we have sinned against God. True repentance is seen in a changed life; one which no longer conforms to the normal worldly behavior of men. (Rom. 12:2)
When John the baptist saw Jesus he knew immediately that Jesus was the Messiah (Jn. 1: 29, 30) However, John was very reluctant to baptize Jesus. (Mt. 3:14) But, Jesus' response to John, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness", convinced John to baptize Him.
It is here that we find the truth about Jesus' baptism. He did not need to be baptized, because He had no sins to be forgiven of! The Hebrew writer reminds us of the sinless nature of our Lord in Heb. 4:15). This was necessary for Jesus in order to be our atoning sacrifice. He literally had to be a "lamb without spot or blemish." (1 Pe. 1:19) Jesus had to be sinless so that He might bear our sins. (2 Cor. 5:21)
So what did Jesus mean by being baptized "to fulfill all righteousness?" In order for Jesus to be our Savior He had to put on human flesh and become like us. He had to be tempted just as we are. He had to live the whole human experience just like us! He had to submit Himself to the same obedience to God the Father and God's laws and statutes, like any man who wished to please God. God made it clear through John's message that all men needed to repent and be baptized. Jesus being "found in appearance as a man" (Phil. 2:5-8) had to become humble and obedient to God, just like we.
It can rightfully be said that Jesus has given us an example that we should all follow. Today God calls on all men to repent of their sins and be "baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38) This requirement of God on our lives was validated by Jesus accepting it Himself. The fact that one must repent of their sins when they are baptized rules out infant baptism because an infant is incapable of true repentance.
After Jesus' baptism God gave His own approval to Jesus, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased." (Mt. 3:17) Equally as important "the Spirit of God descended like a dove alighting on Him." (Mt. 3:16) This empowerment of Jesus marked the start of our Lord's ministry to man on the earth.
Study Questions
1. True or False, we know nothing about Jesus' life from age twelve until His baptism by John?
2. True or False, those who received John's baptism were required to repent of their sins?
3. True or False, if repentance of sins is required to be baptized, can infants be baptized?
4. True or False, John did not receive the Holy Spirit until he baptized Jesus?
5. True or False, Jesus had sins until He was baptized by John?
6. True or False, God still requires men and women to "Repent and be baptized?"