Read Matthew 3:13-17
John stood in the waters of the Jordan River and shouted out, “Come on in, the water’s fine.” Some joined him, and others stood on the shore. Today, we look at one who took him up on the invitation and joined him in the waters.
When Jesus climbed down the bank into the river, John was shocked. How he knew who Jesus was, we aren’t told. Maybe something from their shared family history gave John the clue about who was standing in front of him. Maybe a whisper from the Spirit in John’s ear as Jesus approached made him think that something was wrong in the way this scene was playing out. Maybe there is just something about the face of Jesus that caused fishermen to leave their nets, broken people to reach out in hope, powerful people to tremble in their boots, and this wild man from the desert to want to fall to his knees and be blessed instead of attempting to confer a blessing. We don’t know what happened to cause John to say what he said (or caused Matthew to record what he said). But something did. There was some sense of what was right and what was wrong, and John’s sense of what was right was that Jesus should be the one blessing and baptizing.
Yet, Jesus says, “let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness” (verse 3:15) “Let it be so now”? What does that mean? Let’s go through the motions? Let’s pretend for now? What is this righteousness Jesus is trying to fulfill?
The truth is, we don’t really know what this means. We have some guesses, and some are more certain than others. But we don’t really know. What makes sense to me is that Jesus is saying, “I want to join the party. I want to be seen joining the party. I want my ministry, my life, my witness to be about becoming a part of the body, about joining up with the kingdom of God. I want to be present with those who are longing for relationship and meaning.”
John’s hesitation has to do with, some say, his understanding of baptism being one of repentance and forgiveness of sins. Jesus had no need to have sins forgiven. So, why would he consent to this baptism? Maybe Jesus’ view of what was happening was larger. Maybe John, and most of us, think of repentance as turning away. When we repent, we turn away from our sins and our life of sin. We are sorry for what had gone on before; we are sorry for what we had done before; and we are pledging to not engage in those behaviors again. That is how we understand repentance.
But what if Jesus understood repentance to be turning toward? What if the gesture that Jesus was making was one of inclusion, acceptance, or entrance? This was a beginning moment for the ministry that Jesus would perform. This was a sign that something new was about to be launched, and this new thing was nothing less than the kingdom of God, nothing less than a new way of living in community.
Righteousness refers to being faithful to relationships. You cannot be righteous by yourself. You are righteous with God and righteous with one another. Righteousness implies a relationship. The necessary requirement for baptism in The United Methodist Church is the community. Baptism is a corporate act; it is almost always done as a part of worship. When, in extreme cases, it is not a part of a regular worship service, then the community must be represented. Baptism is an entrance into the fellowship of believers; it is joining with the body. Once you have been baptized, you are never alone. There is always a family around you. You have joined something larger than yourself, which is sometimes startling, but always worthwhile.
Why did Jesus accept being baptized? What could be the reasons behind Jesus’ decision?
Scholars give several reasons why Jesus did this. They believe Jesus needed to confess sin on behalf of the nation; to accomplish God’s mission and advance God’s work in the world; to inaugurate his public ministry to bring the message of salvation to all people; to show support for John’s ministry; to identify with the penitent people of God, thus with humanness and sin; to give us an example to follow. Being a perfect man, God the Son accepted baptism to obey God the Father, thereby receiving God the Holy Spirit’s approval.
This brings us to Matthew 3:16-17, where the doctrine of the Trinity is highlighted. Thus, God’s three persons are present and active. God the Father speaks; God the Son is baptized; and God the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus. Some view this as one of God’s incomprehensible mysteries.
Jesus is called the Son of God. We also know that anyone who believes in and accepts Jesus becomes a son or daughter, a child of God. What do we make of this? Are these two types of sonship? It is important to understand that Jesus has a different and unique relationship with God. Scripture says, “I am fully pleased with him.” Believers take part in this relationship through Jesus’ unique bond with God and great sacrifice on the cross.
Earlier in Matthew, we read, “Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region around the Jordan were going out to John, and they were baptized by him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins”. What did John say when Jesus came to the River Jordan to be baptized? John said, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
What word would you use to describe John’s response to Jesus?
How would you explain this reaction?
“Maybe John, and most of us, think of repentance as turning away. When we repent, we turn away from our sins and our life of sin . . . But what if Jesus understood repentance to be turning toward? What if the gesture that Jesus was making was one of inclusion, acceptance, or entrance? This was a beginning moment for the ministry that Jesus would perform.”
How might this understanding of repentance account for Jesus’ reply to John?
What do these common threads suggest about the power of the presence of God?
What do you discover—or rediscover—about your spiritual centering through your comparison of these scriptures?
As the community of the baptized, what difference will you make through the power of your presence?
Let us Pray:
God, help us to remember our baptisms and be thankful—thankful that we are your Beloved, thankful that we carry your Holy Spirit. May we, as a community of the baptized, go forth, sharing the power of your presence for the healing and freeing of your people. Amen.