4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
Jesus of Nazareth comes to the Jordan River, just like every other person from the Land of Judea. Jesus comes to John the Baptist so that he would pour water over his head. The perfect Son of God who is without sin, comes to a river filled with sins to be washed clean.
This may sound a little strange but is this not the lesson that we receive. Jesus comes just like everyone else. Jesus is baptized just like everyone else. Well maybe not, because something happens differently when Jesus is Baptized. When Jesus is coming up out of the water, the Heavens break open. The Spirit of God descends upon him, and the Father calls him, "my beloved Son."
Jesus of Nazareth comes just like all of us. He is perfect, Holy, and clean. But he truly does become a human just like us in every way except sin. Jesus goes down into the filth of your sins. He takes those sins upon himself and becomes the pure and holy Sacrifice for the forgiveness of all your sins.
John's Baptism does not save. Jesus was Baptized so that he can save you from those sins. Jesus, thus, commands His church to baptize people into His death and resurrection. This is the forgiveness of sins.
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