John the Baptist, Jesus’ Baptism

AD 26

Books of Matthew, Mark & Luke

~ Before Jesus is baptized, John the Baptist, clothed in rough garments, began to preach in the wilderness. His message was a fiery repentance message that stirred the hearts of some and infuriated others. Crowds kept coming out to John, confessed their sins, and were baptized. Yet John kept declaring, “He who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie” (John 1:27).

One day, Jesus stepped into the crowd—quiet, humble, unnoticed. When He asked John to baptize Him, “John would have prevented him, saying, 'I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?'" (Mat. 3:14)

But Jesus replied, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Mat. 3:15). Obediently, John lowered Him beneath Jordan’s waters.

As Jesus rose, the heavens opened. The Spirit of God descended like a dove, resting upon Him, and a voice thundered from heaven: This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Mat. 3:17).

This event is a spiritual convergence. In a single moment, Jesus is revealed as the chosen Messiah, and simultaneously, we see God the Father affirming the Son and the Holy Spirit descending upon Him.

~ After His baptism, the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness. After fasting for forty days, Jesus was tempted by the devil. Using the written Word, Jesus decisively defeated him.

Significance

• Humility. It is difficult to fathom a God so magnificent and powerful, cloaked in obedient humility. In Jesus’ baptism and whole earthly life, we see His absolute commitment to the Father’s will.
• Jesus’ baptism foreshadows His death, burial, and resurrection and sets the precedent for our own water baptisms.
• Jesus’ baptism was not about His need for repentance—it was a divine signpost revealing His identity and mission.
• God has given us the written Word as a powerful weapon against the enemy.