But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him (Matthew 3:15, New American Standard Bible).

At the height of his ministry, John the Baptist was baptizing people as a sign of repentance. One day, he realized that the man joining him in the water was none other than Jesus: The Son of God, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He was not worthy to untie the strap of His sandal, let alone baptize Him for repentance! (John 1:27, 29). The One who would baptize people in the Holy Spirit and fire was coming to him to be baptized in water (Matthew 3:11).

Why was Jesus requesting baptism for repentance? Although He had been tempted in every way that we are, He was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus did not explain. He simply said, “Allow it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” This was not much of an explanation. It almost sounds like, “You wouldn’t understand; just trust Me and do what I say.”

I almost picture John the Baptist saying, “Jesus, sometimes I do not understand what You’re talking about, but okay!” He baptized Jesus, who went into the water and then arose as the Father and the Holy Spirit testified that He was the Son of God (Matthew 3:16-17).

The best explanation I have heard for how Jesus’ baptism fulfilled all righteousness is that, by identifying with us in our sin (making an act of repentance, even though He did not really need it), Jesus was preparing for a greater baptism He would endure later. Jesus would describe His death on the cross as a baptism (Mark 10:38-39). On the cross, the One who joined humanity in repentance became a sin offering for us and was baptized into the death that we deserve. Afterward, He was raised from death to life. Now, we are baptized with Him into His death so that we may be raised to everlasting life with Him (Romans 6:3-7).

What does baptism mean to you? How do you understand Christ’s baptism and what baptism means to us now?

Copyright © 2023 Michael E. Lynch. All rights reserved.