When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." Luke 3: 21-22, NIV
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. Matthew 3: 13-15 NIV
Jesus sought to do God's will in everything. Jesus wasn't baptized because everybody else was doing it. He did it to fulfill all righteousness. He did it to please God.
John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. Did Jesus need to repent? Jesus ministry was one of humility. He served others. Claiming to be above the need for repentance would have been contrary to the tone of his ministry. If Jesus considered baptism important enough to submit to it, then it is even more important for us to include in our Christian lives.
Jesus' life changed at his baptism. It marked the beginning of his ministry to mankind. How did your life change when you were baptized? What ministry did it begin for you?
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