Matthew 3:13-17 continuing…

v. 15 –

The Son of God is baptized by John the Baptizer. This baptism is meant as immersion. The putting under of the whole body in the water. It has absolutely nothing to do with sprinkling of water, or pouring of water over a person. The idea is to put under, ie. immerse. In this is the true picture of death, burial, and resurrection. In Jesus’s baptism, He was not only fulfilling the demands of the law, but He was showing His own death, burial and resurrection which was to come a few years later. John’s baptism was for the repentance of sin, but Jesus had no sin. He was/is the Son of God and, God the Son; and God cannot sin.

By Jesus’s baptism Jesus declared John as a prophet, endorsing his ministry, and teachings, that his standard of righteousness was valid. If Jesus accepted the teachings of John as valid, then, he was to be received. They later rejected the messenger and the King. That is, the religious establishment rejected him, and not many paid any mind that the head of the baptist was served on a kings platter (14:1-9). By His baptism Jesus affirmed it [the message of the baptism] as the will of God, His Father, to which all are to be subjected.

We must follow the example our King left us when he was among us of humble birth, and accept God’s message and messenger; and in the example of His baptism. We being baptized into His death, and raised in His life.