Matthew 3:13-17 - Mark 1:9-11 - Luke 3:21-22 - John 1:29-34

John The Baptist Baptizes Jesus

Jesus was thirty years old when he left Nazareth and went to the Jordan River where John preached and baptized the people. When John saw Jesus in the crowd he called out, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water."

But Jesus had not come to be introduced to the people; he wanted to be baptized. John said, "I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?" John felt unworthy to baptize the Son of God.

Jesus answered, "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness." Jesus was telling John that he must allow it and do as it was part of the Fathers plan. So John took Jesus into the river and baptized Him there.

When the two were coming out of the water something wonderful happened! The heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and it landed right on Jesus! After this the voice of God was heard from heaven saying,

"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Just as Jesus the Son of God obeyed His father in baptism so should we. If you are born again that is have accepted Jesus Christ as your savior you too should be baptized to be obedient to his word. Baptism will not wash away your sins but rather it is an outward sign of an inward change.