Christ is our example for baptism. In this portion of scripture Jesus humbles himself to be baptized by John the Baptist. When we realize that the Son of God thought baptism was important, it makes us appreciate the importance of baptism as a public confession of our faith in Christ. Of all people on earth, Jesus needed to be baptized the least, and yet he was willing to give us an example to follow.

The practice of wearing white robes during baptism might have been started by a mis-guided Charlemagne in the late 700’s. In order to entice the Saxons to become Christians, at least in name, he gave each one a new white shirt when they were baptized. This was so successful that soon Charlemagne ran out of white shirts and had to substitute a faded yellow-colored shirt. One Saxon chieftain was very offended when offered a yellow shirt. He declared, "I refuse to be baptized and will have nothing to do with a religion so stingy with its clothes." The white shirts were soon re-instated.

Jesus came for the purpose of being baptized. When we are baptized, we are following Christ’s example. As we are lowered under the water, it is symbolic that our old, sinful nature is being buried. Then as we come up out of the water, it is symbolic that we are coming up as a new creation. The old ways of being controlled by sin are gone, and the new way of being controlled by the Holy Spirit is just beginning.

Something truly remarkable occurs when a small piece of pure magnesium is tossed into a container of water. The part of the magnesium that first touches the water is instantaneously transformed causing a mild explosion. This explosive reaction occurs so quickly that it propels the rest of the piece of magnesium out of the water. As we enter the baptismal waters, we are signifying the spiritual transformation that has forever changed us. Part of us is buried and will never return. Because of this explosive change in our spirit, we are able to come out of the water with a new outlook on life, a new understanding of God, and a new appreciation of his mercy and forgiveness.

Matthew Henry points out, "Christ is now in a state of humiliation: he has emptied himself, and made himself of no reputation. He is not only found in fashion as a man, but is made in the likeness of sinful flesh, and therefore now let him be baptized of John; as if he needed to be washed, though perfectly pure; and thus he was made sin for us, though he knew no sin."

John realized that he was not worthy to baptize the Son of God. But Jesus wanted John to perform this duty so that future Christians would understand that God uses ordinary people to do his extra-ordinary work. No matter how good a life we live, no matter how much we try to obey God, we all fall short of Christ’s perfect example.

In spite of our human frailties, God uses us anyway to perform the work of his kingdom. So here Jesus has John baptize him. As he went through Galilee and Judea ministering to the people, Jesus continued this practice of using human vessels to perform the work of the ministry. John 4:2 tells us that Jesus did not baptize anyone - he had his disciples do this important work. So it is today. There is no minister worthy enough or perfect enough to be presiding over this important spiritual moment. But God uses us sinners to minister to other sinners.

Jesus instructs John that by performing this baptism, "it is fitting...to fulfill all righteousness." I think the reason Jesus wanted this done was so that we would realize the importance of baptism and be willing to follow Christ’s example.

When my oldest son was in high school, we took him and his girlfriend out to dinner. In the course of the evening’s conversation, I said an expression a certain way and immediately the girlfriend looked at my son and remarked, "So that’s where you get that expression." It was obvious that my son had followed my example in some of my mannerisms and the way I spoke. All of us have had those whose example we wanted to emulate. Jesus does the same thing for us. He gives us an example to follow.

There are some who don’t think baptism is that important. They think the only important thing is to accept Christ as their Savior. And certainly that is the most important thing. We are not saved by baptism, and yet Christ gave us an example to follow. Every new believer in the book of Acts was baptized in water. So it seems God thinks this is an important step. It is a public confession of what we have already done privately. God does not want any secret Christians. He wants us to be willing to make a public declaration of our faith in Christ.

Alexander Campbell wrote, "Baptism is, then, designed to introduce the subjects of it into the participation of the blessings of the death and resurrection of Christ; who ‘died for our sins,’ and ‘rose again for our justification.’ But it has no abstract efficacy. Without previous faith in the blood of Christ, and deep and unfeigned repentance before God, neither immersion in water, nor any other action, can secure to us the blessings of peace and pardon."

In this verse we see the Holy Spirit descending like a dove and in the next verse we see that God the Father speaks from heaven. At this baptism we have the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As Barnes remarks, "The baptism of Jesus has usually been regarded as a striking manifestation of the doctrine of the Trinity, or the doctrine that there are three Persons in the divine nature. ... It is impossible to explain this transaction consistently in any other way than by supposing that there are three equal Persons in the divine nature or essence, and that each of these sustains an important part in the work of redeeming people."

Jesus seems to confirm the importance of this when he said in Matthew 28:19, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

When we accept Christ as our Savior, we have all the power and help of the full deity on our side. We have the friendship of the Son, the guidance of the Spirit, and the protection of the Father. Baptism is a time of acknowledging God’s presence in our life. We have Jesus who loved us so much to die for us, we have the Father who encloses us with his arms of mercy and safety, and we have the Spirit who lives inside of us. That is why even after 2000 years we are still baptizing in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

God confirms Christ’s ministry with the words in this verse. Because of Christ’s obedience we are able to receive forgiveness. Because of Christ’s obedience we are able to be a new creation. Because of Christ’s obedience we are able to join him in baptism. Of course none of us can ever approach the level of Jesus, but when we follow his example into baptism, God is pleased with us also, because we are honoring his son.

Matthew Henry comments, "The Holy Spirit manifested himself in the likeness of a dove, but God the Father by a voice; for when the law was given they saw no manner of similitude, only they heard a voice; and so this gospel came, and gospel indeed it is, the best news that ever came from heaven to earth; for it speaks plainly and fully God's favour to Christ, and us in him."

I would like to conclude this study on baptism with a prayer from the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod - A Prayer of Baptism

Lord Jesus, at your baptism you revealed yourself as the obedient Son of man, who shared our humanity in every way. Your heavenly Father revealed you as his beloved Son, in whom he was well pleased. The Holy Spirit revealed you as the Christ, anointed and armed to destroy the work of the devil.

We thank you, beloved Son of God, that you took on yourself the nature of a servant, became like us, and were obedient to the will of your heavenly Father.

Lord Jesus, eternal Word of God, you have connected your mighty word and gracious promises to the water of Holy Baptism. As many of us as have been baptized into your name have been cleansed from our sin, redeemed from the oppression of death and clothed in your perfect righteousness. In our baptism we all received a lifelong promise and treasure.

Thanks be to God for this precious gift! Encourage us to remember our baptism daily, Lord Jesus, as we die to sin and rise to new life with you.

This study on Matthew 3:13-17 © 1999 by David Humpal, all rights reserved.
All scriptures unless otherwise noted are from the Revised Standard Version © 1971, A. J. Holman Company

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, electronic version © 1991, Hendrickson Publishers

Campbell: The Christian System, Chapter XVI, pg. 42, Standard Publishing Company, 1839

Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, electronic version © 1997, Biblesoft

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, electronic version © 1991, Hendrickson Publishers

A Prayer of Baptism from the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod