eFollowingJesusJan5 - Why was Jesus baptized? (read Matthew 3:13-17 - printed below)
John halted his bellowing when one unexpected man waded into the river. Jesus, humble, never demanding his rightful place, "emptying himself, taking the form of a servant" (Philippians 2:7), asked to be baptized. John, knowing Jesus' identity, his purity, his unique mission, replies that if anyone should do the baptizing it is Jesus. But Jesus insists: "It is fitting to fulfill all righteousness."
There is always an upside-downness about Jesus: he embraces the despised and blasts the pious. He disappoints those urging him to wield power, and displays God's might by suffering "the foolishness of the cross," (1 Corinthians 1:18-31). Karl Barth said Jesus was not being theatrical, but that he was baptized for the forgiveness of sins: Jesus did not let our sins remain ours; as our brother he took our sins on himself. "No one came to the Jordan as laden and afflicted as He."
What, after all, is "righteousness"? Only superficially is dikaiosunç good behavior. At its heart, righteousness is enjoying a right relationship with God, which is all gift, all grace, empowered by God's Spirit to be different.
Lord, thank you that Jesus became one with us, bearing our sin, giving us a restored relationship with God.
James
james@mpumc.org
See the painting by Piero della Francesca by clicking here (then click on the image!).
Here is the full text of Matthew 3:13-17 - 13: Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14: John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15: But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness." Then he consented. 16: And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; 17: and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
