Baptism and Newness

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.
John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:13-17
 
When Jesus came to John to be baptized, John had already been calling for crowds to be baptized for the sake of repentance. Yet, in the baptism of Jesus, we see not only a practice of repentance, but also divine affirmation of Jesus’ identity and the descent of Spirit. 
 
Jesus does not need to be baptized for the sake of repentance because he is sinless. Rather, he is demonstrating and embodying a practice for his followers. In this way, when we celebrate the baptism of Jesus, we are reminded of our own baptism. At our baptism, we are cleansed of our sins and our identity as a beloved child of God is confirmed by the Spirit through the waters of baptism.
 
However, the arrival of the Spirit in Jesus’ and our own baptisms is not neutral or stagnant. After Jesus’ baptism, the Spirit guides him into the wilderness to be tested. Through the waters of baptism, we too are empowered to enter into new beginnings and possibilities, even in the face of uncertainty.
 
May the Spirit guide us as we face new dimensions and transitions in ministry together that in all things, God may be glorified.

-Photo by Kathleen Barry, United Methodist Communications