Why Baptize Jesus?

When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21-22 (see also Matthew 3:13-17)

Baptism of Jesus. Why?

Baptidzo, from ancient Grecian literature is transliterated into the English as "baptize and baptism." The origin of the term meant "to identify,"or "identification with." As an army would prepare to go into battle, each soldier would immerse his sword into a basin of blood, identifying the sword with the blood. In John's baptism (before the Church was born), the water of the river represented the Kingdom of God. Those who came to him for baptism were publicly identifying with God's Kingdom by being immersed in the water. It is a ritual which represents spiritual reality. The water didn't change them. They were already changed (repented), and were openly declaring that they were now one with God's will.

We know Jesus had no need to repent. John even protested (Matthew 3:14) that he thought it unnecessary. Jesus insisted, so as to "fulfill all righteousness." What could this mean? Knowing that baptism is identification, and knowing Jesus had come on a specific mission: to fulfill the plan of God, we understand that Jesus' baptism was unique, just as He is unique. His identification is with our sins. That's what the water represented for Him. He would become one with our sins on the cross and die under that burden, then be resurrected as was depicted in coming out of the water to begin His ministry. He was publicly identified with the cross. This was His commitment to the plan of God. His commitment to US.

So, technically, we don't "follow Christ in baptism," for His baptism was unique. Our baptism, then, is INTO CHRIST. For the believer, the water represents Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection and we, being immersed, are dead, buried and resurrected with Him. In so doing, we become one with the plan of God. We openly declare ourselves to be IN CHRIST, acknowledging a spiritual reality by a physical ritual.

Baptism has become a ritual in most Christian churches. It is, however, much more than a ritual. It is an ordinance, ordained by this very act of John and Jesus. There is meaning in it, because by submitting to this ritual, we publicly identify ourselves with Jesus Christ as the only Savior. The water doesn't change us. He changed us. We are committing to HIM.

God, the Holy Spirit attended Jesus' baptism, and made Himself known. God the Father spoke His approval of His Beloved Son. It was a manifestation of the Holy Trinity, there at the river, for all who were present to see and hear. What a moment in the relationship of Jesus, John and their disciples, in the very beginning of the earthly ministry of Him Who came to seek and save that which was lost.