Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be 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 it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented (Matt. 3:13-15).
Ten years ago, I stood in the waters of the Jordan River at the Yardenit Baptismal Site, located just south of the Sea of Galilee. My husband and I were among a group from Bethlehem Lutheran in south Minneapolis traveling through Israel and Palestine with our pastor, Beth Warpmaeker, as our leader and guide.
It had been a full day, and we were running behind schedule. By the time we reached the site it was already dusk and getting darker by the minute. I was a little disappointed not to have a clear view of the river that would have been provided by the light of day. But on the upside, most of the crowds had scattered by the time we got there, and the experience of reaffirming our baptism was quieter and more intimate than it would have been earlier.
As our pastor made the sign of the cross on my forehead and reminded me of my identity as beloved child of God, I thought about God’s astonishing and unwavering promise: that we arise from our baptismal waters claimed by God, freed from sin, and given new life in Jesus Christ – a promise of life – not only after death, but new life here and now!
And as I felt those cool, early January waters of the Jordan washing over my feet, it was incredibly moving to think that the waters of that same river washed over our Lord. I can understand John’s reluctance to baptize Jesus! He must have been stunned by the request. None of the others gathered around had any idea who Jesus was. But John knew. He had told the crowds, “I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not even worthy to carry his sandals” (Matt. 3:11). And yet, here Jesus is, standing before John to be baptized by him.
New Testament scholar, Eric Barreto, writes that “…‘to fulfill all righteousness’ is to act in obedience to God. Jesus’ first steps in public
ministry are a combination of a compliant spirit and a powerful, public display of his commitment to obeying God’s call.”
So Jesus is baptized – not because he is in need of it, but because it is part of God’s divine plan. And as he rises from the waters of the Jordan River, the heavens open, the Spirit descends upon him, and God declares Jesus’ identity for all to hear: “This is my Son, the Beloved.”
Beloved. By the grace of God, this is our identity, too.
Loving God, thank you for the life-giving waters of baptism and our identity as your beloved children. Help us to live out our baptismal callings in faithfulness to you and in love for one another. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.