Why Did Jesus Need To Be Baptized

Why Did Jesus Need to Be Baptized?

What would be included in a catalog of behaviors that are vital to the Christian faith, if such a catalog were to be compiled? It would be reasonable to expect baptism to be included among the list of requirements, if at all. When Jesus commands his followers to become disciples (Matt. 28:18–20), baptism is one of the mechanisms by which he accomplishes this task. It was also essential to the proclamation of the gospel during the time of the church’s founding, on the Feast of Pentecost (Acts 2:38).

It should come as no surprise that this is the case.

Baptism was not only something Jesus instructed his disciples to undergo, but it was also something he himself experienced at some point.

Consider that the baptism Jesus underwent was John’s baptism, which is defined as (1) accompanying “repentance” (Matt.

  • 3:6), and (3) as a method of “fleeing from the approaching vengeance” (Matt.
  • (Matt.
  • Not much thought is required to realize that what is said about Jesus in the New Testament does not appear to be consistent with the rest of what the Bible says about him: that he was God’s virgin-born Son (Matt.
  • 5:21; Heb.
  • 5:8–9; John 17:4), fully pleasing to the Father (Matt.
  • 3:15).

Why Was Jesus Baptized?

However, both Mark and Luke report this incident without posing any questions about it (Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–22). Instead of recounting the details of Jesus’ baptism, John’s Gospel highlights the same result that has been emphasized in all of the other Gospels: that the Spirit of God descended on Jesus, anointing him as the Son of God (John 1:32–34). Among the Gospel writers, only Matthew brings up the subject of baptism by presenting an element of the account that the other writers do not include: John himself was hesitant to baptize Jesus.

The response of Jesus to John’s reluctance is informative, both in terms of addressing our question and in terms of exposing an essential feature of Matthew’s theological framework.

3:15).

Something significant is taking place here.

As a result, please allow me to provide this paraphrase: Jesus is carrying out his responsibilities as the obedient Son of God by exercising the needed righteousness of surrendering to God’s will to repent and turn from his sins (i.e., to live in the world wholeheartedly devoted to God).

How Does a Sinless Man Repent?

There are a few of parts to this that we need to examine in order to fully comprehend it. According to Matthew’s definition, righteousness is whole-person behavior that is in accordance with God’s will, nature, and upcoming kingdom. The apostle Paul uses this term in a variety of different contexts, but Matthew’s usage is more characteristic of the Old Testament notion of heartfelt, steadfast devotion to God. By consenting to John’s baptism, Jesus demonstrates to the world that he is the good and obedient Son of God who fully fulfills God’s desire.

  1. It is an urgent invitation to realign our values, habits, affections, thinking, and conduct in light of a different worldview, one that is anchored in the revelation of God’s nature and impending rule (Matt.
  2. In a nutshell, repentance implies “take up your cross and follow me!” Not in the sense of turning away from sin (which our repentance must involve, although Jesus’ does not), but rather in the sense of devoting himself to completely carrying out God’s purpose on earth.
  3. In this way, whatever reservations we (and John) might have regarding why Jesus would be baptized by John are dispelled.
  4. Consequently, he must adhere to the God-ordained message of life-dedication proclaimed by John in order to save his soul.
  5. 1:18–2:23), and what he will continue to do in the following stories (Matt.
  6. — Jesus is the culmination of all of God’s activities in the world.
  7. In order to fulfill God’s promise to send John as the ultimate herald of the King’s coming, Jesus now falls into line with this and submits himself to John’s baptism.

Jesus as the Last Adam

So, what was the reason for Jesus’ baptism? We believe this is because Jesus’ aim in becoming the Savior of the world is centered on his own unwavering obedience to the Father. Philippians 2:8 and Romans 5:18 both say that he was obedient up to the point of death on the cross, which resulted in our redemption. In the words of Brandon Crowe, “Jesus is depicted in the Gospel as the final Adam, whose obedience is required in order for God’s people to receive the joys of salvation.” Jesus’ baptism marks the beginning of his mission as the obedient Son, as well as the beginning of his role as a paradigm of what it is to be faithful to God.

It is through his baptism that we receive the Holy Spirit; it is by his baptism that we are baptized into him.

Our Lord Jesus was baptized as a symbol of his devotion (wholehearted obedience), and in doing so, we are following in his footsteps.

Our baptism does not take place merely because he did.

Though, like John the Baptist, we may have been bewildered as to why Jesus was baptized at first, we can now understand that Jesus’ baptism was an essential aspect of his redemptive mission in the world, and that it should always be remembered as such.

Why Did Jesus Need to Be Baptized?

There are a plethora of hypotheses as to why Jesus agreed to be baptized. If He was blameless, as the New Testament asserts, then His baptism had to have had a hidden agenda behind it, right? Some believe that John and Jesus plotted or conspired together in order to gain attention for Jesus’ ministry; others believe that Jesus came as a representative of the sinful human race; still others believe that Jesus submitted to baptism as a foreshadowing of his death and resurrection; and still others believe that Jesus’ baptism made the act of baptism work for everyone else.

  1. For example, despite the fact that John and Jesus were cousins, we have no proof that either of them spoke before the time of the baptism.
  2. But, most importantly, John’s baptism was not primarily a baptism of repentance as some may think (the turning away from sin).
  3. Those who were baptized had previously confessed their sins and desired to be united with the future Messiah and His kingdom.
  4. His job was to prepare the way for Jesus’ arrival, not to remove sin from the world.
  5. Jesus requested John to baptize Him merely as an act of obedience to God’s intentions, rather than as a religious ceremony.
  6. That promise was fulfilled by Jesus.

The Baptism of Jesus

According to BibleStudyTools.com, the Baptism of Jesus is referenced in the Gospel Bible books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, among other places. In this account, we observe that Jesus comes up to John and wants to be baptized with his disciples. After preaching the Gospel for three years and baptizing individuals who repent and seek to restore their connection with God while looking forward to the coming Messiah, John was ready to retire. John is taken aback by the fact that Jesus, the spotless Son of God, is seeking to be baptized, since he believes that he should be the one asking Jesus to baptize him!

When Jesus is baptized, it is a symbolic expression of His submission to His Father as well as the beginning of His earthly ministry.

In the moment that Jesus rises out of the water, John sees the Spirit of God descend upon him like a dove, and they hear God’s voice from heaven exclaim, “This is my Son; the beloved; whom I have approved.” You may learn more about the Baptism of Jesus by reading the whole scriptural passage.

Why Did Jesus Have to be Baptized?

According to Jesus’ response: “Truthfully, really, I say to you, unless one is born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” ESV translation of John 3:5 “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,” Peter instructed them. 2:38 (Acts 2:38) In accordance with this, baptism now saves you, not as a removal of filth from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, not as a removal of dirt from the body.

6:4 (Romans 6:4) And Jesus appeared to them and said, “Come, follow me.” “Everything in heaven and on earth has been handed to me as a result of this revelation.

In fact, from now until the end of the ages, I will be with you at all times.” Matthew 28:18-20 (NASB) According to Alfred Edersheim’s The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (Book II, Chapter XI2) and the lecture notes of Dr.

Image courtesy of Unsplash/Linus Nylund

Why Was Jesus Baptized and Did He Need to Be?

According to the Bible, Jesus was completely without sin. Jesus was personally tempted, according to the story of his life (Matthew 4:1-11), yet he did not succumb to his wicked urges, as recorded in the Bible. Thus, it is difficult to comprehend why Jesus was immersed in water at the outset of his worldly ministerial career. Even John the Baptist was taken aback by Jesus’ desire to baptize him, and he expressed amazement at the request. John, who had expected to be baptized by Jesus, was perplexed as to why Jesus needed to be baptized as well.

Jesus didn’t leave John, or any other future Christians, hanging without providing an explanation.

As the final atonement for sin and death, Jesus fully and completely took our place in every manner.

When Was Jesus Baptized?

Several passages from the Gospels, including Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, and Luke 3:21-22, describe Jesus’ baptism. Matthew’s Gospel has a more in-depth description of Jesus’ baptism. “After that, Jesus traveled from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.” When he refused, John tried to dissuade him by asking, “Do you want to come to me and be baptized by you?” ‘Let it be so at this time; it is lawful for us to do this in order to complete all righteousness,’ Jesus responded. After that, John agreed.

At that time, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on his shoulder.

It appears in all three narratives that Jesus’ baptism was a critical initial step in the beginning of his ministry, which would last nearly three years and finally lead him to his death on the cross.

Jesus’ baptism took occurred at a time when John had already begun baptizing people for the sake of repentance, at which point the timing was appropriate.

According to John, a person’s ancestry to Abraham was no longer sufficient for redemption. He preached a message of repentance, baptism, and the need of bearing virtuous fruit in the lives of those who heard him.

Why Was Jesus’ Baptism Important?

The fact that Jesus did not need to repent or turn away from sin was evidenced by his baptism, which served as a sign to John and subsequent generations of believers that he was the promised Messiah. This affirmation brought John’s goal to prepare the way for the Messiah to a successful conclusion. The story of Jesus’ baptism is a magnificent depiction of the loving unity of the Trinity — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This point in his life marked the beginning of his ministry, during which he was totally immersed in the human experience as the spotless lamb of God sent to rescue the world.

See also:  What Religion Believes In God But Not Jesus

The baptism of Jesus does not have to be difficult to understand, even if it may raise some concerns.

But his baptism serves to affirm him as the Messiah and to reveal his readiness to assume human form in order to be the ultimate atonement for all sin and death.

When Jesus was nearing the conclusion of his life, he directed his followers to go and make disciples in all nations, baptizing them in the names of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (See:Matthew 28:19).

Why Did John the Baptist Baptize Jesus?

John the Baptist was Jesus’ older cousin, and he was known as “the Baptist.” Only a few months before Mary got pregnant with Jesus, his mother, Elizabeth, was expecting their son, also named John. Zechariah was the name of his father, who was a priest. According to Luke’s Gospel, Elizabeth and Zechariah were “righteous in the eyes of the Lord, obeying all of his rules and decrees without fault” when it came to marriage (Luke 1:6). It should come as no surprise that John, a godly man selected to prepare the way for Jesus, was born to two parents who were both sincerely committed to God’s will and principles.

  • John appears in the Gospel narratives for the second time, this time immediately before Jesus began His ministry.
  • However, John was able to rectify those incorrect assumptions.
  • (Matthew 1:3) John described himself as the fulfillment of the prophecy in the book of Isaiah that God would send a messenger before the Messiah, paving the way for him to come (See:Isaiah 40:3).
  • John cleared the way for the future Messiah by teaching repentance, righteousness, baptism for the remission of sins, and of the might and grandeur of the one who would come.

Jesus told John to baptize him, and John complied with Jesus’ instructions. The baptism of Jesus by John was the penultimate stage in preparing the way for Jesus’ arrival.

What Does Baptism Symbolize?

The New Testament has a wealth of information and insight that can assist us in better understanding the purpose of baptism. Baptism is performed for the purpose of sin remission (See:Acts 2:38). In order to be baptized, we must first repent, which means we must turn away from our wrongdoing, and then accept the forgiveness that Jesus gave through his death and resurrection. Baptism is a representation of our religious beliefs (See:Acts 8:12-13). A new believer (someone who has demonstrated confidence in Jesus) gets baptized after repenting and being immersed according to the paradigm we find in the New Testament.

  • Baptism is a representation of being buried with Jesus and risen to life with him (See:Romans 6:3-4).
  • It is also the mechanism by which we are raised up into new life in Jesus after our baptism.
  • However, Jesus saw that he needed to be baptized, which is why he requested John to perform the ceremony.
  • He demonstrated that baptism is something that all Christians must perform as a stage in their religious journey.

How Did God Respond to Jesus’ Baptism?

God’s affirmation of Jesus’ baptism was reported in Matthew’s Gospel as a tremendous act of God. The heavens opened as soon as Jesus was baptized and climbed out of the water to face the people. “The Spirit of God began to descend like a dove and alight on him,” says the narrator. ‘This is my Son, whom I adore; with him I am pleased,’ a voice from the heavens said” (Matthew 3:13-17). Immediately following Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit fell upon him. A indication that Jesus’ ministry was being enabled by the Holy Spirit and that it would usher in peace between humans and God was signified by this event.

Photograph courtesy of Getty Images/gldburger In addition to being a writer and a minister, Pamela Palmer is the founder of upheldlife.com, a website where she publishes devotionals and religious resource pieces on a weekly basis to encourage people to keep religion at the center of their lives.

She works in pastoral ministry, where she has the opportunity to be a little part of many people’s emotional and spiritual journeys, while also being a small part of her own.

Pamela married the guy who was meant to be her husband, and they had two lovely children. She has been published on herviewfromhome.com, and you can follow her at upheldlife.com or on Facebook.com/upheldlife. She can also be found on Twitter @upheldlife.

Why was Jesus baptized? Why was Jesus’ baptism important?

QuestionAnswer Upon first inspection, it appears as if Jesus’ baptism serves no purpose whatsoever. Although John’s baptism was described as a baptism of repentance (Matthew 3:11), Jesus was sinless and hence did not require repentance. Even John was caught away by Jesus’ sudden appearance before him. In this passage, John recognizes his own guilt and recognizes that he, a sinful man in need of repentance, is unsuitable to baptize the immaculate Lamb of God: “I require your baptism, and will you come to me?” (See Matthew 3:14 for more information.) According to Jesus, it should be done because “it is appropriate for us to do this in order to complete all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15).

  1. Among them were: The time had come for Jesus to begin His great mission, and it was only fitting that He be publicly acknowledged by His forerunner.
  2. The fact that John baptized Him was a public declaration to everyone present that here was the One they had been waiting for, the Son of God, the One he had promised would be baptized “with the Holy Spirit and fire” had now arrived (Matthew 3:11).
  3. According to Luke, both of John’s parents were descended from the Aaronic priestly dynasty (Luke 1:5).
  4. The words of John the Baptist the day following the baptism have a distinctively priestly ring to them: “Behold, the Lamb of God who wipes away the sin of the world!” (See also John 1:29).
  5. His baptism signified the baptism of sinners into the righteousness of Christ, dying with Him and rising free from sin and able to live in the newness of life that Christ has provided for them.
  6. Jesus responded that it was legitimate to “fulfill all righteousness” by baptizing the innocent Son of God, when John expressed reluctance to do so (Matthew 3:15).
  7. Furthermore, Jesus’ appearance to John demonstrated His acceptance of John’s baptism, bearing evidence to the fact that it had come from heaven and had been accepted by God.
  8. Perhaps most significantly, the event of public baptism preserved for all future generations the perfect manifestation of the triune God who had been revealed in glory from heaven on that particular day.
  9. Also depicted is the role played by the three persons of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the salvation of people whom Jesus came to redeem.

At His baptism, the fullness of the wonderful reality of God’s kindness revealed through Jesus Christ is on display. Return to the previous page: Questions concerning the deity of Jesus Christ What was the purpose of Jesus’ baptism? What was the significance of Jesus’ baptism?

Why was Jesus baptized?

  • But John attempted to dissuade him by asking, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” (I need to be baptized by you.) — Matthew 3:14 (NASB) It’s an excellent question: What was the reason why Jesus Christ needed to be baptized? That’s essentially the question that came out of the lips of John the Baptist when Jesus stepped forward to be baptized in the Jordan River, according to the Bible. He was well aware that Jesus was the Messiah, the world’s rescuer. Consequently, John said, “Do you come to me if I need to be baptized by you?” John raises an important argument, which I agree with. What sin did Jesus do that necessitated his repentance, if John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance, remains unknown. There wasn’t one to be found! He was just amazing! He has never committed a sin! If someone needed to be baptized between John and Jesus, it was very definitely John who needed to be baptized. “Let it be so now
  • It is fitting for us to do this in order to complete all righteousness,” Jesus said in response to John’s protest (v. 15). As a result, John cooperated. However, the response “to accomplish all justice” does not really provide us with a satisfactory resolution, does it? What did Jesus intend to say? There are at least three options to consider in this case. First, it is possible that Jesus was baptized in order to connect with people whom he had come to rescue. In the words of theologian Albert Barnes, “When John appeared on the scene, the crowds gathered to hear him speak and to be baptized with him.” There was an unparalleled movement towards God that occurred over the entire country. Then Jesus realized.that he, too, ought to identify himself with this march toward God.” It was John’s baptism that signaled the people’s decision to move away from sin and toward God. Jesus desired to be identified with this turning point. Doesn’t that make sense, to say the least? Possibility2: Jesus was baptized in order to commemorate the beginning of his public mission on earth. After all, because John would be transferring authority to Jesus as soon as he was ready to begin his ministry, what better site to do so than near the Jordan River, where John had been working for a long time to assist people in turning away from their sin and preparing themselves for Jesus’ arrival? This is another alternative that makes sense. Jesus was baptized in order to ceremonially wash himself before to being filled with the Holy Spirit, according to possibility number three. Until recently, the only man permitted by God to enter the Holy of Holies, the most sacred place in the temple where God’s Spirit resided, was the Jewish high priest. The high priest would also always wash his hands before entering the Holy of Holies as part of a ritual washing before entering the Holy of Holies. The situation was different in Jesus’ case because heaven was about to open above the Jordan River, and the Holy Spirit was going to leave heaven and come down to meet Jesus up close and personally. It is possible that Jesus was baptized in order to prepare himself for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, similar to how he was washed in the Jordan River. All three of these alternatives make a great deal of sense to me right now. And there’s a high probability that when Jesus was baptized, he had all three of these things in mind. But there’s one more thing I don’t want you to overlook. The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus in the form of a dove, according to all four Gospel writers — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John — who all recorded this event. But allow me to pose this question to you: Exactly what was Jesus up to when the Holy Spirit fell upon him is unknown. The incident did not take place when he was being baptized. Jesus had already completed his baptism and was on his way out of the water when we arrived. Only the book of Luke provides us with a detailed account of what Jesus was doing. Observe closely the passage in Luke 21: “During the time when everyone was being baptized, Jesus was also baptized. “And as he was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove,” the Bible says. Was Jesus doing anything specific when the Holy Spirit fell upon him? He was PRAYING at the time. Prayer was a top priority for Jesus, according to Luke’s narrative, which makes this very obvious to us. Consequently, Jesus prayed before and often during the most significant times of his career, as well as thereafter. After praying all night, he decided on his twelve disciples (v. 6:12). During the time he was praying, Peter made the excellent confession that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v. 9:18). He was meditating before teaching his students the Lord’s Prayer for the first time (11:1). “Father, forgive them, for they have no idea what they are doing,” Jesus pleaded as he hung on the cross. And, just before he died, he prayed, “Father, I entrust my spirit into Your hands,” he said. Does it seem to you that Jesus may have done so, at least partially, to persuade you and me that we, too, should be praying before and even during our most significant times in life? Yes, I believe so. For Jesus, communicating with the Father was of the utmost importance. It should also be a primary priority for you and me, as it should be for everyone. Prayer was the gasoline that propelled Jesus’ most effective ministry, and it will continue to be the fuel that propelled ours. First Christian Church in Victorville is led by Dane Davis, who is also its Lead Pastor. Visit our website for additional information, and come to worship with us tomorrow at 10 a.m.
See also:  How Many Siblings Does Jesus Have

Why Did Jesus Need To Be Baptized?

On sometimes, you come across a chapter of Scripture that has you scratching your head and asking, “What on earth is all of this about?” This text, which gives a succinct summary of Jesus’ baptism in Mark 1:9-11, is one of them. When baptism is mentioned in the New Testament, it is always done in conjunction with confession and repentance (Acts 2:38), and it represents being washed and cleansed from the sin that was confessed and repented of. So, if Jesus was sinless and without flaws, why did he need to be baptized?

The story of Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3 opens with the following response: “Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan, to be baptized by John.” In this case, John would have prevented him from doing so by declaring, “I require your baptism, and do you come to me?” However, Jesus responded, “Let it be so now, for it is suitable for us to complete all righteousness in this manner.” “After that, he agreed.” – Matthew 3:13–15 (KJV) Jesus himself indicated that he was being baptized so that he may “fulfill all righteousness” in the world.

On the most fundamental level, Jesus’ baptism served primarily as an act of obedience to what God had commanded him to accomplish.

Consequently, the question becomes, “why?” After all, if it wasn’t something Jesus needed to accomplish, what was it that God intended Jesus to do instead?

Because the just penalty for sin must be paid in order for God to “fulfill all righteousness,” Jesus completely identified with sinful man by taking on human flesh and partaking of the same things that sinful people require – things like baptism – in order to be an acceptable substitute for us and pay that penalty on our behalf (propitiation) (following conversion and repentance, of course).

  • He who was without sin consented to be baptized in the name of sinners.
  • 2.To serve as a prelude to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
  • In order for us to share in Christ’s resurrection from the dead, we were buried with him in baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.
  • Paul describes this in further detail in the following passage: Because of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice – which forced him to thoroughly empathize with sinful man – the anger of God was entirely satisfied.
  • Sinners connect themselves with the perfect Man Jesus in the same manner that he, the holy Son of God, identifies himself with us (Romans 5:12).

Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection serve as its main point. It was “for our sake that he caused him to be sin who had no knowledge of sin, so that in him we could become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)

Why did Jesus need to be baptized?

Unsplash user Anastasia Taioglou contributed this photo. For a limited time, Apple Podcasts is offering a free subscription to “The Examen.” Subscriptions to “The Examen” are available for free on Google Play. Become a member of our Patreon Community Have you ever pondered why Jesus needed to be baptized in the first place? After all, the Baptism of Jesus, which we commemorate this week, appears to be a bit of a bizarre event from a religious standpoint. As you may be aware, John the Baptist was preaching a baptism of repentance, but Jesus, the blameless one, had nothing for which to repent whatsoever.

  • The Gospel accounts, on the other hand, are a little hazy on the specifics.
  • According to one of the Gospels, Jesus responds in this way when John challenges him about it.
  • There are a slew of them.
  • Alternatively, Jesus may have experienced something internally, based on his connection with God the Father, something we would never be able to comprehend, which motivated him to undergo baptism.
  • God, of course, became human during the Incarnation, and with the conception of Jesus, God becomes a member of the human race for the first time.
  • He took his spot among the crowds that had gathered to witness John the Baptist on that particular day.
  • I like to envision him waiting in line by the Jordan River, modestly and patiently with the rest of the tourists.
  • James Martin, S.J.
  • America’s editor-in-chief, the Rev.

Why Was Jesus Baptized?

Transcript of the audio We finish the week with a question from Bob, a podcast listener who writes in to pose a basic question, but one that is also quite well-thought-out and insightful. Simply simply, why did Jesus insisted on being baptized by John the Baptist rather than anybody else?

Matthew as Our Guide

Matthew 3 has the most detailed account of Jesus’ baptism to date. So, let us go to Matthew for guidance in addressing the question: Why did Jesus insist on being baptized by John the Baptist? As far as Matthew is concerned, there are at least two aspects of John’s baptism that are pertinent to the question of why Jesus would insist on being baptized in this manner. “Through John’s baptism of repentance, God established a people of God in preparation for the future Messiah.” First and foremost, according to Matthew 3:6, people were coming to be baptized in order to confess their sins.

That is the first and most important step.

New Identity

To begin with, John makes it abundantly clear that his baptism of repentance heralds the birth of a people of God in preparation for the coming Messiah, and that in doing so, he imbues this people with a distinctive identity that is not identical with their Jewishness, but rather with their repentance. Matthew 3:9 demonstrates this. “And do not dare to claim to yourself, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ because I tell you, God is able to bring up children for Abraham from these stones,” he says to the Pharisees who had followed him out to the river.

It implies that there is no redemption and no security in identifying your ancestors as descendants of Abraham.

He has the ability to create saints on his own, if he so desires, out of rocks.

For example, they do not rely on their race or religious heritage by declaring, “We have Abraham as our father,” as the Pharisees did.

Fitting

Now, when Jesus enters the scene, John exclaims, “Wait a minute.” “Do you come to me if I need to be baptized by you?” “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” (See Matthew 3:14 for more information.) In other words, he makes it quite obvious that Jesus does not require this baptization. He is under no need to repent. He is not required to confess any of his misdeeds. So, what brings you here today? “Jesus fulfilled all of the requirements of righteousness that would have been needed of mankind before the court of God.” Answering the question, Jesus says only one thing, and it is quite significant.

  • It is appropriate.
  • It is appropriate.
  • It is appropriate to fulfill all of the requirements of righteousness.
  • Moreover, the fact that he chose to participate in the baptism of repentance despite the fact that he had no crimes to repent of is indicative of the fact that the righteousness he desired to accomplish was the righteousness that was demanded not of himself but of every sinful man.

Securing Righteousness

Jesus has just finished reading Isaiah 53. Indeed, Isaiah 53 served as his life’s purpose. He then read the following passage from verse 11: He will make many righteous by virtue of his wisdom, says the righteous one, who is also my servant. Many people will be considered as righteous as a result of the righteous one. Why did Jesus insist on being baptized, I believe, is because these new people, who were being collected by John the Baptist on the basis of repentance and faith, rather than on the basis of Jewishness, would need to be justified at some point.

According to Paul in Philippians 3:8–9, they would need to be justified by someone else’s righteousness.

Jesus fulfilled all of the requirements of righteousness that would have been demanded of mankind before the court of God. As a result, Jesus became a part of fallen humanity, for whom he was offering righteousness by his participation in their baptism.

Why Was Jesus Baptized?

What was the reason that Jesus needed to be baptized? Even John the Baptist appeared to be perplexed by this issue (Matt. 3:14). In order to respond to this question, we must first understand the type of baptism Jesus experienced, as well as the aim of his mission. The importance of our baptism will then become clear to us. The Baptism of John was performed on Jesus. That Jesus was baptized by John is crucial because this baptism was of a different nature than the baptism we get today, as we will see.

It is important to note that the distinction is not in the use of water, but rather that one is “for repentance” and the other is “with the Holy Spirit and fire.” When seen in the context of who Jesus and the Old Testament reveal him to be, John’s baptism and teaching make sense: John is a prophet who belongs to the tradition of prophets who called on humanity–particularly God’s people Israel–to repent in light of impending judgment and to faith in the Lord’s saving intervention (see Ezek.

  • 33:11; Isa.
  • 11:7-9).
  • The reason why Jesus would be baptized in this manner has everything to do with his mission.
  • (Matt.
  • With his baptism, Jesus begins his career as the real and loyal Israel, one who has properly responded to the demand for righteousness on his behalf.

As a result, we have this well-known affirmation from the Father: “And immediately after Jesus was baptized, 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, in whom I am well pleased.'” — (Matthew 3:16—17).

  1. 16).
  2. Aside from establishing Jesus’ status as the genuine Israel via obedience, his baptism also establishes his journey toward the crucifixion.
  3. ” In addition, we learn in Mark 10 that Jesus’ career would climax in a baptism in which he will “give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
  4. His ministry did not follow a haphazard path; rather, it was constantly defined by his baptism and directed toward the cross.
  5. “Do you not realize that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into his death?” Paul asks in his letter.
See also:  What Does The Bible Say About Jesus

After all, if we have been linked with him in a death like to his, we will undoubtedly be united with him in a resurrection similar to his.” (See Romans 6:3-5) The act of Christ has transformed for us what was for him a duty, a judgment, and a death into the very hope of “newness of life.” The assurance of a lovely friendship with God that is based on grace that we get through baptism is a wonderful gift.

In other words, because Christ’s baptism carried him to the tomb and back, it promises us that our destiny is now to rise with him in the resurrection.

6:14).

Why Was Christ Baptized?

It had been hundreds of years since the Jews had seen such a strong prophet as John the Baptist, and the Jews were thrilled to see him again. It is quite simple for modern readers to overlook this fact. John was regarded as a major figure. His admonition was straightforward: “Repent.” “Make ready the path of the Lord.” According to the Bible, he was visited by large crowds of people from all throughout Judea. They had come to him in order to receive his baptism of repentance. They arrived to the conclusion that “we are sinners.” “We have angered the Almighty!” It must have been moving to witness such a large number of people openly confessing their sins.

Jesus had traveled from Galilee and had requested that John baptize him as well.

He is without flaw.

The baptist’s own words made it plain that he knew what he was talking about.

“I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” (Matthew 3:14)

Everything is wrong, or at least everything appears to be wrong. The baptism of John is unnecessary for Jesus. Despite this, his first documented act is found in all four Gospels, making this his first recorded act. The fact that this is happening indicates that something significant is taking place. In our capacity as readers and followers of Christ, we must inquire as to the reason for his actions. Why would he come from Galilee to Judea in order to be baptized by John if he has nothing to repent of personally?

  1. Us.
  2. Because we require baptism, Jesus went to be baptized by John, not because he himself required it.
  3. This is a watershed moment.
  4. He went to John to be baptized in repentance, not for himself, but for the rest of us who were in need of it.
  5. When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, he descended and took on the sin of the entire world.
  6. He began his public engagement by putting himself in the shoes of sinners to symbolize their plight.
  7. And it is from that moment on that Jesus begins the work of the Cross on the cross.

Yes, the suffering is vital, but Christ did not begin his work of redemption until he was brought before Pilate on the day of his death.

So That We Might Be Free It should be emphasized that all four Gospels agree that the Holy Spirit fell upon Jesus immediately after his baptism.

When Jesus was alive before the Jordan, he was virtually indistinguishable from the other carpenters of his day.

There seems to be practically nothing worth writing down about his life prior to the Jordan Expedition.

However, following the Jordan, his life took on a remarkable turn.

It was completely unexplainable. Even his own family members were perplexed by his behavior. It was stated by those who knew him that he was the “son of the carpenter.” “Doesn’t his mother’s name happen to be Mary?” (Matthew 3:21) Throughout it all, Jesus maintained,

“I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.”(John 6:38)

Apparently, it was in the Jordan when the Holy Spirit began to direct Christ in a new direction. Christ, having relinquished his almighty prerogative, placed his reliance on the Holy Spirit, and proceeded forth to carry out the Father’s instructions. Jesus, through his baptism of repentance, ushers in a new life of grace for all of mankind, and through his sacrifice on the Cross, he extends an invitation to us to share in this new life. Just as Jesus’ public life and ministry started in the waters of the Jordan, so too do our lives begin with repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus.

  1. In the same way as the Father declares during Jesus’ baptism that Jesus is his “beloved Son, in whom he delights,” we have also been adopted as sons and daughters of the Lord via our baptism.
  2. In the same way that Christ lived his life in unity with the Father, via the Spirit, we are invited to live our lives in relationship with Christ, through the Holy Spirit, just as Christ lived his life.
  3. It is because of him that we may share in his life and live—through him—lives that have been set free from the dominion of sin.
  4. Chris Mueller is a youth minister from the city of Murrieta in the state of California.
  5. The president and creator of Everyday Catholic, an organization that encourages Catholic families, young people, and youth to grow in their connection with Christ and his Church, Chris is a dynamic speaker and author.

Why Was Jesus Baptized?

In this image, the Baptism of Christ is shown by Pietro Perugino. Is it possible that you’ve asked, “Why did Jesus have to be baptized?” It’s a valid question, and it’s one that John the Baptist himself ponders on sometimes. It is recorded in Matthew’s gospel that “John attempted to block him by saying, ‘I require to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me” (Matthew 3:14). According to Luke’s gospel, John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, not a baptism of immersion (Luke 3:3).

When it comes to Jesus’ mission and identity, what does his baptism disclose to us?

Think about our first question: “Why does Jesus go to be baptized if he has no sin for which to repent?” Let’s think about it.

He permits himself to be counted among sinners, despite the fact that he is already referred to as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Jesus’ humble surrender to John’s baptism is an indication of his absolute acceptance of the Father’s mission, as is his total submission and acceptance of the Father’s mission.

  1. TheCatechisminvite us to consider Jesus’ baptism in light of his agony and death, as described in the Gospel of Matthew.
  2. In the prophet Isaiah, we find several allusions to the Servant of God.
  3. Following the Servant’s suffering (v.
  4. 6), take our sin upon himself (v.
  5. 8), even though he has done nothing wrong (v.
  6. 10).
  7. 12).

From his baptism onward, Jesus takes on the identity of the Suffering Servant, and this is the beginning of his ministry.

The link between Jesus and the suffering Servant is first made by John the Baptist, who is also known as the Baptizer.

He establishes for his disciples the connection that Jesus is the Suffering Servant who was prophesied to appear in Isaiah Chapter 53.

He communicates this knowledge to his disciples, who abandon John the Baptist and come to follow Jesus at his direction after hearing it.

Jesus’ baptism marks the beginning of his role as the Suffering Servant, who would bring healing to his people by his suffering and death.

Jesus’ baptism establishes the tone for the rest of his work and purpose on earth.

If you are feeling trapped by sin, the complexity of life, or your own brokenness, don’t give up!

In his baptism, Jesus demonstrates to us that he is not content to stand by and watch while sinners strive to find healing and righteousness.

It is only when we connect with Jesus in our sin, addiction, brokenness, and so on that it is possible to be overcome and cured on the Cross.

As we commemorate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord this Sunday, may the Holy Spirit give us the strength to welcome Jesus into the hardest places in our hearts and allow us to experience the changing love of God.

Why was Jesus baptized?

Some people now believe that Jesus was born with original sin and that he needed to be cleansed of it. When we think like way, we take the cause for which we need to be baptized and relate it to Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus is without sin (Heb. 4:15). During the early church, a small group of Christians known as “adoptionists” held that baptism was the moment when God “adopted” Jesus as his son and so marked the beginning of the New Testament. This viewpoint, which was condemned as heresy at the end of the second century, came back into fashion in following decades.

  • When it came time for Jesus to die on the cross, some believed that Christ was a spirit that appeared to him at his baptism but subsequently departed and abandoned the physical Jesus.
  • Thomas Aquinas reminded us that Jesus’ baptism by John was entirely symbolic, and that it was incapable of forgiving sins or bringing someone into the family of God.
  • In a similar vein, Jesus’ attendance at the bridal feast at Cana (John 2:1-11) might be seen as God’s blessing on the institution of married life.
  • As stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “Jesus’ gesture is a sign of self-emptying; the Holy Spirit, who had lingered over waters of the first creation, descended on the Christ as a forerunner to the new creation; and the Father revealed Jesus as ‘his beloved Son'” (no.

In their writings, the early Eastern church fathers, who were more lyrical than their Western counterparts, described Adam and Eve as having a “vestment of light.” This robe, which had been lost in paradise at the time of the fall, was made available again when Jesus, at his own baptism, deposited the robe, which had been lost in paradise, in the Jordan River.

The Eastern fathers used poetry to explain why Jesus needed to be baptized: “I am attempting to find the lost Adam; please let me to descend down and hunt for him,” Jesus said.

Advertisement This story first published in the January 2014 edition of United States Catholic (Vol. 79, No. 1, page 46). Do you have a question you’d like to have addressed? Inquire with us at [email protected]! Image courtesy of Flickr user art history images (Image courtesy of Holly Hayes)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.