January 15, 2025
The Baptism of Our Lord - Part 3
Matthew 3:14-15
01/15/2025
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 fulfill all
righteousness." Then he consented. (ESV)
Jesus sought out John the baptizer in the wilderness of the
Jordan River for the purpose of being baptized by him.
John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be
baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus
answered him, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting
for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he
consented.
Jesus came to John to stand with the repentant sinners. In
order to take the place of all who had broken God's Law, Jesus
had to take on the transgressions of all people, of all times, of
all places. "To fulfill all righteousness" did not mean that
Jesus needed to be baptized in accordance with the ceremonial
laws given to Moses, it was not like His circumcision or
purification when He was forty days old. This righteousness of
God is His declaration that our sins are forgiven, not by our
works, but because Jesus took our sins upon Himself. There, in
the waters of Jordan, Jesus was anointed as the sinner, to bear
the full wrath of God for each transgression.
In the Jordan, Jesus became the Christ, the Messiah, as the
water was poured over His head. He who needed no repentance took
upon Himself the sins of which other had repented, and paid the
full price for their transgression. Jesus fulfilled all
righteousness on the cross when He cried out, "It is finished."
Once, for all time, for all people, the debt of sin was paid in
full. This righteousness is offered to you as a gift, freely
given because of God's love.
May our Lord grant us faith to receive the righteousness
fulfilled by Jesus at His baptism, on the cross, and in the empty
tomb. Amen.