Jesus was also baptised (Chapter 2)

Why is water baptism so important that the Son of God had to undergo it in order to begin His earthly assignment?  Jesus Christ is the Messiah.  Jesus pre-exists the world.  Jesus is God, yet He came to John to be baptised by him.  John was a mortal being.  John’s mission was to announce to the world about the coming Messiah.  John chose wilderness of Judaea for his ministry. His message centres on REPENTANCE and KINGDOM of GOD.

Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 3:2   

   

Of course when John preached to his audience to repent of their sins and be baptised in readiness to receive the lamb of the world who is coming to take the sins of the world, he said:

I indeed baptise you with water unto repentance, but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear:  he shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. Matthew 3:11.

John did not glorify himself.  John did not allow any iota of pride to shroud him.  John was consistent in playing his roles as a servant and he saw himself as a mere messenger.  John highly exalted the coming Messiah and foretold the people some of the works the Messiah is coming to do:

Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Matthew 3:12.

Hearing the message many people believed and surrendered their lives, and they were baptised with water. John was on his duty post preaching when Jesus Christ arrived and John introduced Him thus:

‘Behold the lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.  This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.  And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptising with water’. John 1:29c-30.

Then Jesus came to John for baptism with water.  Jesus requested John to baptise Him.  Wao! The shock that descended on John was indescribable.  John felt he was being embarrassed by Master Jesus.  How can God submit Himself for water baptism?  Jesus is without sin, perfect and pure. John initially did not come to terms with the request by Jesus that John a mortal being should baptise Him. John in a state of confusion rebuked Jesus thus:

But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptised of thee, and cometh thou to me.
 Matthew 3:14.

Jesus replies John:

Suffer it to be so now, for thus it be cometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Matthew 3:15.

The purpose of water baptism is here given more explanation – that is “to fulfill all righteousness”. To fulfill all righteousness is to satisfy all conditions or requirements to qualify one for the race to meet our redeemer.

John in obedience baptised Christ Jesus. The baptism afforded God the opportunity to introduce JESUS CHRIST to the world.

‘And Jesus, when he was baptised, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him.  And lo a voice from heaven, saying, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’.  Matthew 3:16-17.

Notice how heavens were specially opened for Jesus after baptism. It is imperative to ask here: if you had been baptised, how did you feel that day when you came out of the water?  You felt like a conqueror!  You felt as if you have won a gold medal in a competitive race?  You felt bigger and greater than any person around you, am I right?

Water baptism does open heavens.  It makes the Spirit of God to enter the person to use him for the works of the kingdom.  That means you are not born again until you are baptised with water.  Born again is not altar call to confess your sins and declare by repeating after the Pastor or the caller that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour.      

                                                  

Question: Why was Jesus Baptised with water who knew not sin? Is baptismal class in Churches where people are subjected to teachings and written test necessary? The command of Jesus is that ‘He who believes’ should be baptised immediately.