Matthew 3:1-17
John the Baptist asks a key question that we don’t always ask. We should, but we don’t. Why are you coming to be baptized?Who warned us to flee the wrath that is coming? Are we being baptized just to flee wrath, or do we repent?
And what brings Jesus to be baptized? John has it right when he essentially asks Jesus what is going on,that John should be baptized by Jesus. What brings Jesus to the waters?
The simple answer is that it was prophesied, which is awfully close to that predestination answer. Jesus doesn’t need to repent. Jesus doesn’t need to have John be a part of things. So what’s the point? Why does Jesus get baptized?
The answer is found when the cloud opens up. John needs to hear what God says about Jesus. The crowds need to hear it. We need to hear it. This should be why we come to the waters – because we hear God saying that we are God’s beloved. Come to the waters, not because you fear God, but because you are loved by God.
