“Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. Matthew 3.15b

Though the baptism of Jesus is told in all four gospels, Matthews does the telling of this sacrament, the baptism of Jesus, with more detail. Matthew goes into the actual describing of God’s Son fulfilling His Father’s Will and Word. What can we learn from this wondrous story? How and why is this picture of Jesus’ baptism fulfilling all righteousness? Does Jesus’ Baptism open the door for the early church, and for all people to become a member into The Church? Even though the answer to this question can be as different as there is as many offering an answer, this is how every one of us can be saved from our sinful self.

I have always found it very interesting that Jesus came to John to be baptized. As truly the Son of God Jesus was blest with all that he ever needed to over-come the wiles of the Devil. He could never be tempted beyond His power to resist or His purity of thought or His strength of faith to over-come all temptations. Jesus is perfect, without sin, he did not need to be washed clean. He was baptized as an example for all of us to follow.

This is good news to all of us who has been baptized into the Master’s Community of Faith, because we can all now face the trails of life with confidence because the One we follow has walked through this valley safely himself. Not only are we initiated into Christ’s Living Church with our baptism, but we have also had our sin washed clean with Jesus’ bloodshed on the Cross.

You, probably like I was, were baptized as a new born baby. Therefore, though we were there, it was before our memory began to remember. Never fear because it really isn’t the physical act itself that saves us in the Name of Christ, but it is what we believe. It is in faith that we are received in our Father God’s Eternal Home. Remember, none of us can be good enough to save ourselves from the sin we commit every day. It is Jesus who makes us what we want to be.

Prayer

Our heavenly Father, to truly know the forgiveness your Son Jesus makes possible for us, we do greatly praise you for your wondrous compassion made known to us in His death and resurrection. In His Name we pray. Amen.