November 3 – Matthew 3:1-17
To Fulfill All Righteousness
In addition to the passage we’ve read in Matthew, the baptism of Jesus is also recorded in the Gospels of Mark and Luke. In Matthew, the account includes conversation between John and Jesus. The others do not. John was confused when Jesus came to him to be baptized, and said, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus answered John, saying, “Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.” Then John consented and baptized Him.
His baptism, in fulfilling all righteousness, was a sign and confirmation that Jesus was truly the Messiah. John had been told that the Spirit would come from heaven in the form of a dove and rest on the Chosen One. And John bare record, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water; the same said unto me, upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.” John 1:32-34
Jesus was willing in all ways to be fully human and modeled in every way how to live a perfect life in obedience to His Father in Heaven. The Spirit was shown as a dove descending on Him, which signified He was to bring peace between man and God. That peace would come at a tremendous price to Jesus and His Father when He paid the penalty of our sin at the cross.
God in three persons is shown here. The Father was present here at Jesus’ baptism. God the Father was heard audibly, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Jesus was there in human form, and the Spirit was there in the form of a dove remaining on Him. It also marked the beginning of His public ministry to war against and defeat the powers of darkness in this world, bringing the Kingdom of Heaven in force to take care of the sin problem once and for all.
Jesus left instructions concerning baptism to His disciples before He departed and went back to Heaven. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:19-20
These words from Jesus have reached us today as His followers, and they instruct us to be baptized just as He was, publicly declaring our faith in Him. Jesus gave another command when He instituted what we call communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper. We will talk about that another day. These are the two ordinances we, as believers, need to take seriously and obey. No more animal sacrifices. He is the only sacrifice satisfactory for our redemption. We should declare it publicly in baptism and remember it often by participating in our Lord’s Supper.
Thank you, Jesus, for leaving me an example to follow. You have fulfilled righteousness perfectly for me in every way.
