This coming Sunday we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. As already mentioned, Matthew’s primary focus is not on the baptism itself, but on the events that immediately follow: the heavens opening up, the descent of the Spirit and the voice of God. But let’s return for a moment to consider the meaning of John’s baptism. John’s baptism was not a sacramental baptism, but rather was a preparatory, symbolic, prophetic action. It was a sign of repentance (Matthew 3:6; Mark 1:4), a ritual preparation for the coming Messiah, a public acknowledgment of one’s desire to turn away from sin, and a way of awakening Israel to expect God’s imminent saving act.

This was not Jesus’ baptism – He did not need purification. He did not become holy by the waters. Rather, He made the waters holy by entering them. (cf. St. Gregory Nazianzen, St. Ambrose, St. Thomas Aquinas) By descending into waters used for repentance, Christ prepares them to become the instrument of rebirth. In this He was baptized to reveal Himself as Messiah and sanctify the waters for Christian baptism.

Importantly, Jesus identifies Himself with humanity. John’s call for repentance was a call for the people to remember that they were people in Covenant with God. His wilderness ministry called them to the Jordan River at the spot where the people first crossed into the land promised in the Abrahamic covenant. They are called to return to the beginning, reenter the land, and once again be a covenant people. By his baptism, Jesus shows that he stands with the covenant people.

But at the water’s edge it is revealed that he is the Son of God and thus at the same time is the maker of the Covenant, the means by which God has chosen to redeem us. At the water’s edge Jesus inaugurated His public ministry, fulfilled all righteousness and so began the saving plan of the Father.

Image credit: The Baptism of Christ, Juan Fernández de Navarrete, “El Mudo” | Museo del Prado, Madrid | Wikimedia Commons | PD-US