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The Baptism of Jesus
by Fr. Reid Hensarling
Matthew 3:13-17
Matthew 3:13-17: Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
Matthew focuses on the encounter between Jesus and John, and on the personal experience of Jesus. Jesus was one among many who were baptized by John. To be baptized indicates that Jesus deliberately chose to accept John's baptism. Jesus intended to identify himself with John's message and with the movement it had created. Jesus did not have a need to ask forgiveness of his sins since he was not a sinner. So how could baptism add anything to the already perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ?
While John was engaged in his ministry, Jesus suddenly stood before him requesting to be baptized. John saw Jesus as one who had superior status and position along with tremendous authority. John knew that his ministry was going to be eclipsed by his younger cousin Jesus; therefore, it would be more fitting for Jesus to baptize John. But God's will was for Jesus to be baptized by John and accept the lower place. Despite his initial hesitation, John baptized Jesus.
In Christian baptism we are identified with Jesus in his death and resurrection so that his death becomes our death and his resurrection our resurrection. In Jesus' baptism by John, Jesus identified himself with us in our humanity, thereby taking on himself the obligation to fulfill all righteousness so that he might be a perfect Savior and substitute for us. Jesus perfectly submitted to all God's commandments and decrees. He who was to take the sinner's place came to be baptized by John, that he might thereby be identified with sinners for whom he was to lay down his life. Jesus has solidarity with us sinners. Jesus will dedicate himself to the awesome task of making sinner righteous. What an appropriate beginning for his public ministry.
Righteousness in Matthew is not so much "being good," but rather a synonym for the Christian life, where the believer has a relationship with God focused on obedience to Him. Jesus provides the righteousness of God for believers who could not provide or effect for themselves God's righteousness.
In the last two verses we see the powerful testimony of God the Father to his Son Jesus. This is God's authenticating seal on the outward sign of John's water baptism of Jesus. The entire Trinity was present: the Father who spoke from heaven, the Son of God who was baptized, and the Spirit of God who was seen descending like a dove on Jesus. Incredibly, the whole Godhead was involved. It was the whole Trinity, which at the beginning of the creation said, "Let us make man;" it was the whole Trinity again, which at the beginning of the Gospel seemed to say, "Let us save man." Matthew tells us that God verified that Jesus was his Son and that he was pleased with him. Hopefully, we too will be pleased with Jesus and love him all our lives with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
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