What my legs tell you about Jesus’ Baptism

As I’ve mentioned, I’m currently part of a Bible study in which we are working through St. Matthew’s Gospel. A couple of weeks ago we read Matthew’s account of Jesus’ baptism…

Baptism

This event is something of a head scratcher. I mean, who was it that had been coming to John for baptism? Sinners! So why did Jesus, the sinless Son of God, come to be baptized? What business had he there? In our perplexity, we are in good company since John the Baptist thought it kinda barmy too:

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me? – Matthew 3:13-14

So why did Jesus come to be baptized? During our discussion in the Bible Study I pointed at my legs and asked “What do these tell you?”

LegsHmmm…perhaps I should explain? Contrary to what you might think, I had not, in fact, completely lost my mind.

If you had been with us in the cafe that afternoon you would have seen that one of my legs was completely devoid of hair from the knee down.

Hmmm…perhaps I should explain that too?

One of my friends recently hurt his leg playing soccer/football and had to have surgery.  In preparation for his surgery, he had his right leg shaved below the knee. In response to this, a couple of my friends and I decided to shave our right legs as well, as a sign of solidarity.

My friends and I didn’t need surgery. We didn’t need to have our legs shaved. However, as far as possible, we went through the same process as our friend. We didn’t need the healing, but he certainly did…

So, returning then to Jesus, this is one possible reason why the Lord submitted Himself to be washed in the Jordan by John. In being baptized, the Saviour demonstrated His solidarity with the sinners He came to save.

How we get indignant when we’re accused of something falsely! This was not the way with Jesus though. To the rest of the world that day, He looked like just another sinner coming for baptism. However, he was not a sinner, but was instead the sinless one who had come to rescue us. We are the ones who need to be cleansed of sin. He invites us to follow Him into the waters and be reborn.

So, next time you hear the account of Jesus’ baptism, please think of me and my legs 🙂

This is, of course, only a partial answer as to why Jesus submitted Himself for Baptism. Much more could be said. If you’d like to learn more, I’d invite you to read Patrick Vandapool’s recent post on this subject.

5 comments

  • I believe it is not only in order to express his solidarity with sinners that he was baptised. He is holiness itself. By being baptised, he consecrates by his holiness, by his holy presence and will, the waters of baptism (and by extension, every repentance and conversion). He makes baptism the definite place and moment of encounter with him which actually does what it symbolises: it cleans the soul completely and gives it new birth. He can do that because he is God incarnate
    .

    Nice legs, too, David!

    • Hey Anne,

      Absolutely, this is only post only gives one slither of the answer to the question “Why did Jesus get baptized?”.

      We find the “sanctifying the waters” explanation early on in the Church’s history:

      “…and He was born and was baptized that by His passion He might cleanse water.” – St. Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Ephesians (c. AD 110)

      I would also suggest that this typologically fits with the incident (Exodus 15:22-27) where Moses threw a piece of wood (symbolic of the cross of Calvary) into the bitter water to make it sweet.

      (Thanks!)

  • You will have to pardon me please as I loved your explanation but my very first thought was …I bet he was glad that his friend wasn’t having brain surgery…although I am sure that you would have gladly shaved your beautiful head of hair for him.
    I love all your reflections and look forward to getting them.
    Pax et bonum.

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