10 November 2021   Devotion for Today   “Why Baptism?”   Mark 1: 9-11

I commented briefly about the bookmark found in my father’s bible in yesterday’s devotion.  One side of the marker displayed a scene of the Jordan River flowing through modern-day Israel.  I visited there myself on a trip to the Holy Land in 2011.  As part of a Christian music tour and designated pastor of the group, I was asked to baptize members of the group in the beautiful waters of the Jordan by immersion.  Most of the group, however, had already been baptized as believers at some point in their lives, but the act conveyed a point of great spiritual significance for those who participated.  They were not commanded to be baptized in the Jordan, but they wanted to be mostly due to the fact that Jesus Himself was baptized in these waters.   The act blessed them with tremendous spiritual significance as it did for me.   I was actually so overcome with emotion that after I had finished baptizing my friends before walking out of the water, I turned and faced the opposite shore.  There, for a split second, I saw- or imagined that I saw- the image of Jesus standing there.  Next to Him was the image of my wife’s father- a wonderful Christian gentleman and spiritual mentor in my life.  The image faded through the tears that welled up in my eyes as I turned to exit the waters.  Later in the day my wife wrote an email informing me that her father had suddenly passed away that day- probably about the same time that I envisioned him standing on the shore of the Jordan with Jesus!

I am not certain if I have ever shared this story before, but the scene will be forever indelibly etched in my mind.  This leads me to ask, why was Jesus baptized in the Jordan?   For what possible reason did Jesus have for submitting to this humble act?   The Scripture relates the act in these verses:

It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.  And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”   Mark 1:9-11

Why was Jesus baptized?   The phrase: “in whom I am well pleased,” implies that the Father deeply approved of His Son in this act of identification with mankind.   Jesus did not need to be baptized for forgiveness of sins because He had no sin, nor was Jesus commanded to be baptized.   To be baptized means, “to plunge under the water.”  Jesus submitted to baptism to initiate His earthly ministry of bringing salvation to all people, as well as to identify with sinful humanity.  He also gave us an example to follow in obedience.  As Jesus identified Himself with us, likewise as believers we identify with Him in baptism.   

Many have asked me over the years, “Why should I be baptized?  It does not save me.  The thief on the cross professed faith in Christ, and he was not baptized.”  It is true that baptism does not save us, but it is an outward symbol demonstrating an act of commitment to Christ. The thief on the cross had no opportunity to be baptized.  He simply accepted by faith in what Jesus said that he would be in paradise that day. May I say that unless we are being crucified, baptism (believer’s baptism) is our first act of trust, obedience and submission to Jesus that says: “I am here, Lord, to serve you.  I dedicate my life to you.  I identify myself with you.  There is nothing in life I would refuse to do for you.”  

Have a blessed day!