So Jesus replied to him, “Let it happen now, for it is right for us to fulfill all righteousness.” (Matthew 3:15)

I love baptism Sundays at church. Usually, my cheeks hurt from smiling while tears of joy roll down them. My hands hurt as I clap and cheer on my brother or sister-in-Christ as they come up out of the water. It takes courage and commitment to take this step. It is wonderful to celebrate their humility and confession that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Back when we lived in California, our family was baptized together on the same day. The church we were part of would gather on a Saturday morning for baptisms at “Lovers (of Jesus) Point” in a little cove off Monterey Bay. (These baptisms were particularly exhilarating as the water temps were 52 degrees all year round!) Even though we were out on a public beach, it was quite intimate. We made our public declaration to love and serve Jesus, surrounded by our church family. In turn, they would commit to love and pray for us on this journey of discipleship. Just like we do as a Chatham Community Church family.

In the passage for this week, we read about Jesus’ baptism. Like John, we might be wondering why He asked John to baptize Him?  After all, we now understand that Jesus, as God’s incarnate Son, was without sin.

Jesus explains to John that He must be baptized to “fulfill all righteousness.” In baptism, as in everything else Jesus does, He shows us the way. He demonstrates a life fully surrendered and obedient to the will of Father. In His obedience, He pays the ultimate cost. As was ordained by God from the beginning of time, Jesus willingly goes to the cross to take our sins upon Himself to satisfy our debt to the Father.

We partake in baptism as an outward demonstration of our faith in what Jesus did in delivering us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. Our baptism also publicly marks our commitment to be a disciple of Christ. We declare we will be learners of what Jesus commands through the Scriptures and commit to obey with the help of the Holy Spirit. In gratitude for what God the Father has done for us in His Son, we choose a life of obedience. To God be the Glory.

Would you take a moment now and thank Jesus for His faithful obedience to the Father and for the ministry of the Holy Spirit? If you haven’t yet been baptized, consider talking to Pastor Alex or Pastor Jaime about taking this step to publicly declare your commitment to a life of discipleship.