Matthew 3:15 Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.
John was confused. Why did his soon-to-be-famous cousin feel the need to be baptized? John had a special connection with Jesus as far back as he could remember, even getting excited to learn that Jesus was in the womb next to him. At some point he learned that it was his mission to announce the coming of the perfect Lamb of God.
John prepared the people by performing a type of Mikvah, a Jewish ritual of symbolically cleansing from sin. They were to cast off (or repent of) the unclean things that soiled them, so that they would be ready to meet God’s one and only son, their own King of Kings. Now he was here, standing before John, asking to be baptized.
Even though John was a confirmed Nazarite (no drinking, no haircuts, etc), he failed to see why Jesus shouldn’t be baptizing him, not the other way round. The scholars tell us that Jesus planned the event in order to kick off his ministry (dove comes down, God speaking). They also say that this was a way for Jesus to identify with the human condition, feeling the burden of sin, yet sinless in himself.
Church leaders tell us that Jesus’ baptism was set as an example for us, that we might follow in the practice, as we do with Communion, or with healing (for our spirit-filled brethren). From the beginning the church would struggle over reasons and modes, even splintering into cells formed on individual interpretation of scripture.
Whether we dip, dunk, pour or sprinkle, baptism has achieved a permanent place in most church ordinances. Does it bring about salvation? Does it seal church membership, making salvation complete? Do you go to hell if you don’t do it? Do you have to do it again when you mess up really badly? Is my salvation in jeopardy if I got it wrong and dipped instead of dunked?
How can the seventeen words of Jesus in this verse cause so much commotion and division in those who would call him Savior? Jesus said, “Let it be so now,” meaning that it may not be necessary later? For him? For anybody? He said that it was “proper” to “fulfill all righteousness.” What could he mean by that? Righteousness simply means doing the right thing.
See, anyone can be righteous. Just do the right thing. But what is the right thing? I believe that Jesus was doing what his heavenly Father told him to do. He didn’t require a full explanation before he would agree to do it. Nor did he need to convince John the Baptist that it was the right thing. He immediately consented. Both men obeying.
Sometimes we need to do little things to remind us of greater things. John had told the people that Jesus wouldn’t need water to baptize, that he would use the Holy Spirit and fire to cleanse us. Burning off the bad that harms us can’t be such a bad thing, can it?
I have no issue with using ritualistic things to help remind us of God’s love and our sanctification. Daily rituals of all sorts, not necessarily meant to be religious, can be used by God to teach us spiritual lessons. We must be careful, however, not to put the ritual above the realization that our Father created us to live, and to live abundantly. Abundant living can only be found in obedience. Obedience can be seen in the small things, things that can be so easily overlooked. Particularly in the matter of interpersonal relations.
God created us to love, care, serve and pray for each other. Sinning and doing good cannot abide in the same moment. Certainly, not every day is sunshine and roses. Rain and teardrops must also fall. This is the ebb and flow of life. But out of him flows the living water that parts the clouds and heals the wounds.
Oh, precious is the flow!
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