The Bible records the baptism of Jesus in all 4 gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). That’s quite special. Not even the birth of Jesus is recorded in all 4 gospels.
Now, Jesus was really born as an Old Testament baby under Old Testament laws which didn’t include baptism. So he wasn’t baptized as a baby, but as a 30-year-old.
The Bible says, “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’” (Matthew 3:13-15).
When Jesus tells John the Baptist that he wants to be baptized “to fulfill all righteousness,” what does that mean?
Although baptism hadn’t yet been officially sanctioned by Jesus as a sacrament for both infants and adults, John the Baptist had been instructed by God to go baptize people. So the Bible says John was “preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Luke 3:3).
That’s why John questioned that Jesus, the perfect Son of God, was being baptized. Why? Baptism involves the forgiveness of sins. Jesus had no sins but John did.
Jesus’ reply “to fulfill all righteousness” means that Jesus is going to bring to completion (“fulfill”) whatever it takes to make all sinners (“all”) right with God (“righteousness”).
Jesus’ baptism means that he is God’s chosen one, the Messiah. Fulfilling that role will bring pain, inconvenience, death, but also the greatest exaltation and fulfillment ever: to rise from the dead, ascend to heaven, and complete God’s plan for us to be saved by grace through faith.
So Jesus was baptized for himself, and also for you.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, your baptism fulfilled all righteousness, and assures me that my baptism has power and purpose. Thank you for making me, a sinner, right with God all the time. As you were baptized to give me righteousness, I pray that my righteousness from you is evident in all of my life. Amen.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP: I have a crossword puzzle based on the baptism of Jesus. Want it? Just request it at hello@crosslifepf.org
