The Significance of the Baptism of Jesus

We are familiar with John baptizing Jesus in the Jordan river. However, what can we discover about this event when we read all 4 accounts in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John? When we put them together, we discover a deeper significance and purpose of this pivotal moment.

First, let us look at Matthew 3:13-17,

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

The significance of this account in Matthew is IDENTIFYING through an audible voice from heaven that this man is the Son of God.

Next, we look at Luke 3:21-23,

“When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry.”

Luke’s account points out that Jesus was ANOINTED TO BEGIN his ministry at this moment.

Next, let us hop over to Mark 1:9-13,

“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan.”

Mark’s account tells us that Jesus was SENT OUT. Mark makes a point to tell us that upon Jesus’ baptism, the Spirit IMMEDIATELY sent Jesus out into the wilderness to be tested. While Matthew and Luke also shared that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, they don’t tell us that it occurred immediately upon his baptism.

Finally, we read John 1:29-34,

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”

The significance of this account is John TESTIFYING that this man is the Lamb of God, God’s Chosen One.

When we look at all 4 accounts, we are given the full picture of this pivotal moment:

Jesus was
1) IDENTIFIED AS THE SON OF GOD,
2) ANOINTED TO BEGIN HIS MINISTRY,
3) IMMEDIATELY SENT OUT BY THE SPIRIT,
4) CONFIRMED BY THE TESTIMONY OF JOHN.

Our baptism is no less significant.

At our baptism, we are
1) IDENTIFIED as a child of God,
2) ANOINTED to begin our “ministry” to the world as vessels for God and ambassadors of Christ,
3) SENT OUT into all the world, EQUIPPED WITH THE SPIRIT, to share the Gospel, serve others and give the love of Christ to everyone,
4) CONFIRMED by the testimony of the one who baptized us.

Let us take the significance of our own baptism along with the mantle God has placed upon our shoulders and answer our calling with boldness. We are disciples...followers and students of Jesus… and as such, we have been called to “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15) From a human perspective, this is a big, overwhelming task. But with the power of the Spirit, we have the ability to fulfill this task, this great commission of the Lord.

We can share and teach the gospel with great confidence because as Philippians 4:13 tells us, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. We have a great crowd of witnesses such as Paul, Barnabas, Peter, John and many others who have gone before us to show us this is true. (See Acts 14:3, Acts 4:13, Acts 4:29-31)

Not only can we share the Good News of the gospel, but we can also be bold to bless others and show God's love in our interactions, speak Jesus into situations, pray over others, and share the encouragement of Jesus towards the people who cross our paths daily.

We are the light of the world, one of which continues to become darker and darker. We are Ambassadors for Christ, His representatives. So let us go forth boldly with great courage and confidence, into all the world and share the good news, the love & the power of Jesus to all creation. We have been called and baptized for this mission!
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