Automatic Transcript Generated:
Speaker 1
Why did Jesus get baptized? I love this question. Faye, do you want to jump on this one first?
Speaker 2
Sure. So we read in Scripture, it’s pretty clear that Jesus was to be our example in all things. I’ll pull up that verse right now and part of the Christian experience is to be baptized in Christ. So it’s one Peter two, verse 21, and it says for to this you have been called because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example so that you might follow in his steps. So baptism, as we know, is probably a bit strange, though, for Christ to have done, because baptism represents the washing away of sin and the washing away of our past life and being buried in Christ and then being coming out of the water, being resurrected in his purity and his holiness. So then why would Christ Himself have to be baptized? And again, this was part of this whole process of Him being the ultimate example for us and our path as Christians is to follow Christ. So even though Christ himself had never sinned and had never committed anything bad, part of what he accepted was this role to be our ultimate example, which included this aside from developing a relationship with God and spending time with Him and doing his work, also this washing away is I think I think it’s beautiful that he did.
Speaker 2
He did not need to, but it was part of that whole process of teaching us what we need to do. And I think it was a very beautiful and intimate act between Him and John the Baptist. And he set this example and then we are to follow in it. So even though he did not spiritually need baptism, he accepted to participate in that process in order to be our ultimate example. And it just so happened that when all this took place, that’s when some of Christ’s closest followers who witnessed this baptism and the watching of the Holy Spirit descending as a dove and then hearing the voice of God saying, this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. We know through spiritual writings that there were individuals who actually heard the voice of God declare this about Christ. So I think there’s a lot of layers to I don’t think it’s just, oh, he’s our example, but I think there was a lot of layers to that whole process. And I’m grateful that he participated in this act that we are all to accept as part of our marriage to the truth.
Speaker 2
And I think it’s a very beautiful act. But to answer that question, why did Jesus get baptized? It’s not that he needed it, but I think it was more to be that example for us and to teach us how to walk with Him, and that this was the beginning of the process of setting aside our old life and beginning a new life with Christ. So that’s kind of a long winded answer to what should be a very simple answer.
Speaker 1
Yeah, and I totally agree with that. I love that you pointed out Christ’s example to us because he is our perfect example in every way. I think so many of us are like, well, I don’t really want to get baptized because my mom or my dad didn’t or somebody my friend didn’t. That’s not your example.
Speaker 2
Your example is Jesus.
Speaker 1
And what did he command us? And in John, chapter three, he’s talking to Nicodemus in verse five, Jesus calls us to baptism. He says, most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. But then that kind of begs the question. It’s like, well, what about other people who maybe couldn’t have gotten baptized? Like, you look at the thief on the cross in Luke, chapter 23. In verse 39, basically, Jesus on the cross with the two criminals, one on one side, one on the other, and they’re all three of them are dying. And verse 39 says, then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed him, saying, if you’re the Christ, save yourself and us. But the other rebuked him, saying, do you not even fear God seeing you’re under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds. But this man speaking of Jesus has done nothing wrong. And verse 42, I can’t even say this cry every time the thief on the cross says then he said to Jesus, lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
Speaker 1
And in verse 43, Jesus said to him, assuredly, I say to you today, like today is the day of salvation for you. You will be with me in paradise. Jesus declared that day that he had salvation, he would be in paradise.
Speaker 2
Yeah.
Speaker 1
And so how could this thief on the cross? Because Jesus says you have to be born of the water and the Spirit. So in my understanding is that Jesus was baptized to cover those who had no ability in their lifetime to be baptized as well, because he does say in the Book of Matthew, chapter three, verse 15, jesus says to him, permit it to be so when he was going to get baptized. For it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. So basically, the righteousness of Christ is what covers us. And so that’s my understanding as well.
Speaker 2
Yeah, that’s well put. And in terms of the thief on the cross, I mean, a lot of people, thousands, millions of people have gotten baptized over the years. Right. And the thief, though, was in the presence of Christ himself. So, yes, there was no water for him to get physically baptized, but he was baptized in Christ’s spirit, in that I mean, and the whole thing of the water, it’s symbolic of this whole burial with Christ and resurrection. And he practically was buried with Christ because he died there. He died there with him. And so he was extremely blessed to get that kind of proximity to the Son of God. He definitely had no water, but he had Christ right there next to Him a few feet away. So yeah, it’s an interesting thought.
Speaker 1
Yeah and it’s so interesting know when Jesus was pierced after because the two thieves they didn’t die yet. Jesus died at sunset right before the Sabbath and they pierced Him and out came blood and water and I almost wonder in a way if some of that could have even gotten on the thief on the cross. I I know never thought of that before.
Speaker 2
But they did end up dying with mean they all died before sunset.
Speaker 1
They broke their legs.
Speaker 2
Yeah, they broke their legs and so that they can compress the died christ died first but they died there with Him.
Speaker 1
Oh wow.
Speaker 2
It’s such a crazy can take we can go off on that path and probably discuss it for hours because it’s quite incredible.
Speaker 1
Yeah. No, God is good. That’s the thing with the Bible and so I love answering Bible questions because there’s so many deep things related to it and there’s so many other I mean like you’re saying there’s a lot of layers to this. There’s other thoughts you can think of as far as understanding why Jesus got baptized and yeah, definitely. For example, definitely to cover the righteousness of people who couldn’t. And I think also just as a beginning of his earthly ministry, because at the age of 30, that’s when a priest would begin their ministry in the Old Testament, at the labor and that, I believe in. The sanctuary is a symbol of also baptism as well as other things. But I think it was a symbol of the beginning of Christ’s earthly ministry as well because that’s where you see the Holy Spirit go on him and the Father declare this is my beloved Son and whom I will please. Jesus was obedient to the voice of God.
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In His Service
BibleAsk Team
