In Matthew 3, Jesus does something very unexpected. He approaches a prophet and asks to be baptized.

Jesus. 30 years old. A lifetime of good living, going to the Temple and the synagogue. He’d been already been circumcised and ‘baptized’ as an infant. Good Jewish lad. The Messiah. The Son. The Lamb of God.

John the Baptist – the guy Jesus asked to baptize Him – was not having it. “Uhhhh… no. I need to be baptized by you.” John knew who Jesus was and what His mission was going to be. John knew that every message he ever preached pointed to this man standing in front of him asking to be baptized, and it didn’t make sense to him.

Baptism wasn’t a new thing. It had been used by other religions to symbolize a new start, a new belief system. Jews in general were resistant to the practice for various reasons – the main one being they believed the practices of their parents, when they were infants, were enough to solidify their standing as God’s chosen people. But John the Baptist was pushing for baptism for a new reason: repent and get ready for the Kingdom to arrive. So when “The Kingdom” asked to be baptized, it was baffling to say the least.

But Jesus was insistent. “This is necessary.”

Necessary? Would Jesus quit being the Son of God if He wasn’t baptized? Would the entire mission and message of Jesus have been compromised if He had not been baptized?

I don’t think it was necessary for any of those reasons. I CAN think of some others, though.

It visibly showed His obedience to the Father.

It signified the start of His public ministry.

It served as an example for future believers.

It showed the entire scope of what Jesus brings to humanity.
Jesus chooses to enter the water. Jesus chose to go to the cross.
Jesus is lowered into the water, symbolizing death. Jesus chose to accept death.
Jesus is raised out of the water. Jesus rose from the grave.
Jesus walks out of the water. Jesus lives eternally and gives us a new life to walk in.

It’s all there. And when we participate in baptism, we too are a part of this larger story that Jesus is telling.

If you have a personal relationship with Jesus and have never been baptized, I really think you ought to consider baptism. Whether you are new to this relationship or you’ve been following Jesus for a long time but never got around to being baptized – it’s a significant marker in the life of a believer. No, it’s not necessary for salvation. No, it’s not going to make you a ‘super-Christian.’

But it is an act of obedience to our Lord. It is a symbol that carries enormous meaning and weight. It’s a significant marker for those who have done it, a time and place where they can say, “from that day forward…” It’s also a time for the rest of God’s family to celebrate with you.

If you have been considering baptism, let me know TODAY! I’d love for you to be a part of our August 26th Baptism Celebration. It’s one of my favorite traditions at Western Hills Church, and it’s a huge spiritual marker in the life of Christ-followers everywhere.