Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
Matthew 3:13-15
In Matthew 3, we find John the Baptist in the wilderness, preaching a message of radical repentance. He is the “voice crying out,” preparing the way for the Messiah. When Jesus finally appears on the scene, he approaches the muddy banks of the Jordan River to be baptized—the first act of his ministry.
John’s confusion is understandable; baptism is a symbol of washing away sin and turning the sinner toward God. Since Jesus was sinless, he had no need for this cleansing ritual. Yet, Jesus humbled himself by standing in line with sinners. He wasn’t just watching humanity from a distance; he was stepping into the water with them.
And with us today.
In being baptized, Jesus began his public ministry by identifying with the very people he came to save. He validated John’s message of repentance and aligned himself with the broken. It’s a powerful reminder that we serve a God who isn’t afraid of our “muddy rivers.”
“To fulfill all righteousness” essentially means doing what is right in God’s eyes. Jesus wasn’t checking a religious box; he was being perfectly obedient to the Father’s will. His definition of righteousness wasn’t merely the avoidance of bad things; it was about actively pursuing the mission God set before him.
Jesus, the King of Kings, obediently submitted to a baptism he didn’t technically need.
Do you ever question the why behind what God is asking you to do? When we walk in obedience, we might not always understand the “why” of our call. John didn’t, but he consented because he trusted Jesus. And in his obedience, the “why” became clear to all who were there.
“When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17
Is there an area of your life where you are waiting for a full explanation before you obey?
Make no mistake, God has a mission and purpose for your life. However, this will not simply occur because He desires it. God’s plan is an invitation for us to actively participate with Him.
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much…” Luke 16:10
Our purpose in this short life is to glorify God by faithful obedience that points others to Him. When we are actively pursuing faithfulness in the small things our spiritual muscles grow stronger, preparing us to participate wherever God has us.
Don’t miss the moments, each and every day; set your heart right by being in God’s Word and prayer, intentionally watching for God moments—in your words, your thoughts, and your actions. Someone once said, “Bloom where God has you planted.” Be thankful every day, and be on mission in your family, your work, your community, and your church.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, it is a privilege to be asked into Your perfect plan and purpose for Your church. Help us to trust the call, through prayer, reading Your Word, and confirmation, even when we can’t understand what You are doing. We don’t need to know, because we follow the One who holds all wisdom and knowledge from eternity past. Give us bold faith and the courage to step out and say, “Here I am,” when You call. We thank You and praise You, and pray all this in the name of our most holy and righteous Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
