Matthew recorded the baptism of Jesus in 3:13-16 of his gospel. It was another humbling event in Jesus’ life. Everything that Jesus encountered in this life was so foreign to his divine existence; a physical body, poor working parents, multiple siblings. Then to further associate himself with sinful mankind he submitted to John’s baptism; a baptism physically symbolizing the spiritual act of repentance. A rite to display to others that the individual has changed their outlook on right and wrong, sinfulness and purity. Jesus had no change of mind; because he already was on the right course in each area of the Law. But there are at least two aspects of baptism that Jesus shares with us; obedience to God and public humiliation. To be dunked under water has been a sign of weakness since I was a child. To allow someone to dunk you was a display of submission in that weakness. Jesus wanted to show us the depths of his humility; so he chose to act in a way that all believers would recognize as pledge of obedience by a heart humble before God.
It took me about 20 minutes to read this passage
Stuart
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