Matthew 3:15: Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

John the Baptist had been sent by God to preach repentance from sins and to baptize those who believed his message. (Read John 1: 6 – 27). One day while fulfilling his mission, Jesus showed up among his audience at the river Jordan. John had been told beforehand that he would be able to identify Jesus because there would be a sign: “I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit’. I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.” (John 1: 33 – 34).

Although John had been expecting Jesus to show up at some point, he was in awe of him and at first protested on the basis of what he considered his own unworthiness to baptize the Son of God. (See Matthew 3: 13 – 14). Jesus, however, insisted pointing out that it was proper for him to be baptized to “fulfill all righteousness.” Remember, Jesus’ motivation for everything he did was to do the will of his Father.  Likewise, we who believe in him should find it liberating to follow his example in water baptism. It is an act of righteousness.

We are not saved by works, but once saved we should begin to do as he did. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2: 8-10).