Jesus’ Baptism
By Liz Wiskowski
Why? Baptism was for sinners and for those who needed to repent. Jesus was sinless, with no need to repent. This has always been very difficult for me to understand. With all of the reading I have done, and the pondering I have done in my mind and heart, I have come up with a few thoughts.
Jesus waited thirty years to start his public ministry. When John began to preach about the one who was to come after him, the Messiah, Jesus knew that this was the right time. His baptism was the start of His public ministry.
The Jews believed they were the chosen people, the sons of Abraham. When John began baptizing, many of them did not regard Baptism as necessary. Jesus’ Baptism, as a Jew, was an example to them of their need for repentance and elevated the baptism of John to that of a sacrament.
The words heard at the baptism are also of extreme importance. “This is my beloved son” is from the psalms. The Jewish people accepted this psalm to mean a king of God was to come. “With whom I am well pleased” is from Isaiah, describing a suffering servant. Thus these words meant that Jesus was destined to be a king, but that He also would suffer.
I am sure that there is much more to Jesus’ baptism that I still don’t understand, but these thoughts have helped me. I hope they will help you too.
*For more information on Baptism see CCC 1213-1284*