John the Baptist was preaching in the wilderness in Judea telling his followers that they needed to “repent”. He wasn’t talking to merely feel sorry for their sins, but to change directions, to turn away from them. He was also preaching a message that the “Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” The main message being that the Messiah is coming. Charles Spurgeon said “Men’s hearts were like a wilderness, wherein there is no way; but as loyal subjects throw up roads for the approach of beloved princes, so were men to welcome the Lord, with their hearts made right and ready to receive him.” We, too, need to prepare our hearts, to make our paths straight for the coming of the Messiah.
Many were being baptized by John. John would completely immerse those he
baptized. As John was baptizing those in
Judea, Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized.
Matthew 3:13-17 says,
13 Then Jesus came
from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 John tried to
prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming
to me?" 15 Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it
is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed
him. 16 After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and
behold, the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove [and] coming upon him. 17 And a voice
came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am
well pleased."
We often ask ourselves, why would Jesus need to be baptized. Isn't He the Messiah? If He never sinned, why would he need to be baptized? John was even hesitant to baptize Jesus. John recognized that Jesus was without sin and had no reason to repent. But, Jesus wanted to be baptized to "fulfill righteousness". He knew that this was part of the fulfillment of God's plan.
There were three things that happened at the moment that Jesus came up out of the water: the heavens opened up, the Holy Spirit descended like a dove, and the Father's voice was heard from heaven. Jesus' baptism became the anointing of Jesus as the Messiah.
As believers, we too, must submit ourselves to baptism. For a long time, I struggled with baptism. I am of a firm belief that baptism is not what brings about your relationship with Christ, nor does it guarantee our entrance into heaven. Our salvation does not rest on baptism, it our hearts and attitudes of submission, as well as repentance that brings about salvation. Baptism is an outward symbol to others that you've submitted your life to Christ. It's obedience to the will of the Father.
If you, like I did myself, are struggling with baptism, go ahead and do it. You will not regret it.
