This past Sunday, the Gospel reading for the traditional services was Mark 1:4-11. January 6, we celebrated Epiphany... January 10 was, specifically, the remembrance of our Lord's baptism.
The story is told in all three Synoptic Gospels. Matthew's Gospel offers us the most detail. My question to you is: Have you ever wondered why Jesus was baptized by John?
I mean, after all, John is performing baptisms of repentance for the forgiveness of sins in the Jordan River. And we know and believe that Jesus is the perfect Son of God, having no sin.
So, why would the perfect Son of God be baptized for the forgiveness of sins? It doesn't seem right!
Well, John the Baptist more or less says the same thing, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
Jesus' answer, at least at first glance, is confusing. "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." What exactly does that mean? Fulfill all righteousness?
In Christ, we see the redemption of all humanity. In this baptism, we see Christ take on the sinfulness and brokenness of all humanity. "For our sake he made him to be sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." - 2 Corinthians 5:21
John has declared the Kingdom "at hand" and now, in this baptism, the Holy One of God is anointed with the Spirit of God. His Kingdom and His work have begun. Our righteousness is fulfilled in Him.
And so we have the certainty of being baptized in the name of Jesus, our Righteousness. Heaven is opened to us; we have received the Holy Spirit. God has claimed us as His children.
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