Our scripture this week is Matthew 3:13-17.
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. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:13-17
John the Baptist preached repentance and baptism for forgiveness of sin. Why then would Jesus go to him? Jesus was perfect and sinless, He had no need to be washed clean.
When Jesus came to live among us, He came as one of us. Although He was the Son of God, He was the human model for our lives, an example of what we were intended to be, and still could be if we followed Him. Jesus was willing to do human things in order to show us what we were to do.
He didn’t consider Himself above being baptized because He wanted us to see that the repentance it symbolizes was necessary to be forgiven and live a new life. The forgiveness God sends changes our relationship with Him, with others and with ourselves. No longer burdened by the guilt of sin, we are free to be as God created us.
Gracious God, we are not worthy of Your forgiveness but You forgive us anyway. Help us to see the joy of a life in You, able to stand in Your light as beloved children. Amen.