by Pastor Rich Carlson

All Jewish young men were supposed to attend the annual Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. On this trip, Jesus was now probably in His upper 20s or early 30s. He had made the journey many times before, but this time was different. He had heard about John the Baptist’s ministry and He went to check it out for Himself. 
 

When Jesus saw John, He did something he didn’t have to do, but something He chose to do as an example for all to follow: He asked for baptism.

John was shocked at Jesus’ request because he had been preaching a message of repentance and baptism for the removal of sin, and here the only sinless Man is asking this for Himself!

“I need to be baptized by you,” said John (Matt. 3:13).

 Though John resisted, Jesus insisted, and the rest is history. Sinless Jesus was baptized because, as He Himself said, “it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness” (verse 15). 

Baptism pleases God. It doesn’t mean we are perfect or have arrived at our final spiritual destination. Jesus was baptized at the beginning of His ministry, not the end. Baptism happens in response to the desire to turn our lives over to God and begin living them for Him. It’s a statement of desire, not completion.

And what was God’s response to Jesus’ baptism? “You are My Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22). Jesus not only left us an example to live by, He gave His Father a chance to remind Him that He was loved and accepted. Why resist this opportunity for God to tell us He loves us and is happy with us?

Rich Carlson is campus chaplain at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. “God Is Faithful” is adapted from the email devotionals he writes regularly for the Union College family. Rich enjoys filling his life with God, his family, and especially his five grandchildren.