The Baptism of our LORD (NT)

Romans 6:1-11

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? ² By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? ³ Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴ We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 

⁵ For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. ⁶ We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. ⁷ For one who has died has been set free from sin. ⁸ Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. ⁹ We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. ¹⁰ For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. ¹¹ So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. 

If you look back to Mark chapter 1, you realize that it is when Jesus comes up out of the River Heaven is opened.  Jesus comes up out of the Jordan and it is then when he begins to return that Heaven opens.  Similarly, it is the Resurrection that opens everlasting life to you and to me.

We are trapped in sin.  Each of us continue to act sinfully.  We rebel against people in Authority.  We tear down our friends reputation.  We covet other people's children, marriage, employment, or even material goods.  All these things continue to trap and ensnare us in sin.

It is in Baptism we put sin to death and rise to new life.  As we enter into the Water Heaven may appear so far from us, because of our sin.  It is our sin, which makes us dirty and unclean.  It is the death of our sin we look to the cross.  In Christ's death your sins are put to death.  It is then as you come up out of the Font, or water, Heaven is opened to you.  Heaven is opened wide.

Here we are connected with Christ's Resurrection.  Just as Christ has been raised from the dead, God gives you new life.  God calls you his beloved Son.  God has set you free in His Resurrection.  Jesus Christ comes up out of the River as the first born of the dead.  He will come again and raise us all from the dead not only in Baptism but a bodily Resurrection.