Why Jesus’ Baptism?

He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

When we read today’s passage about the baptism of Jesus, a question immediately comes to mind. Why was Jesus baptized in the waters of the Jordan? Was it a purely a symbolic gesture? Was it because he needed sanctification? We have an answer from Maximus of Turin: “Christ is baptized, not that he may be sanctified in the waters, but that he may sanctify the waters, and by his own purification may purify those streams which he touches.” In a way, he consecrated baptism. Hence we can now follow him in confidence into the waters of our own baptism.

There’s another reason. The mission of Jesus was to save the lost; to save sinners. So, by being baptized, he showed his solidarity with sinful man. And having done that, he would go on to die as a sinner even though he, himself, would be without sin. A third reason has to do with the release of the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was given to chosen people, for a selected time, for a specific purpose. But Jesus’ Baptism released God’s Spirit in a new way. Now the Holy Spirit would be available to all who believed. 

Jesus showed us that in our baptism, we receive the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that came to rest upon him. The Holy Spirit would enable us to lead the lives of holiness that all of us are called to lead. When Jesus walked upon this earth he walked as man, a human like us. He was, as Scripture attests, tempted in every way as we are (see Hebrews 4:25). Yet, he did not sin. With the power of the Holy Spirit we, too, can walk upon this earth as he did, living a life of purity and power. 

And, finally, through his baptism Jesus was letting us know of the hope the Father has in all of us. God created us in his image and likeness to be holy, pure, and perfect like he is. At the end of life’s journey, let us be able to say as Paul said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:7-8). And as we approach the throne room of heaven, may God say to each and every one of us: “You are my beloved, with you I am well pleased.”

Wouldn’t that be awesome?

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