Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:13-17).

Five verses that are very deep in meaning. John recognizes who he is baptizing, his cousin for whom he leapt in the womb of his mother Elizabeth when they came together during a visit from Mary (Luke 1:41-44).

John says exactly what we would say too, "I'm not worthy." Jesus answers him that it "be so now." Do it John, I'm not asking. I am here to save sinners, his mission on earth (Lutheran Bible Study notes). The study bible also references Paul's letter to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 5:21). "21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

In his baptism, Christ exchanges himself for us by becoming a sinner in our stead (Luther paraphrase). By taking on the sins he had not committed, Christ wipes them out by drowning them in his holy baptism, Luther continues (Study notes).

"Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4).

Finally, the depth of this passage takes on special meaning in that we see God's Spirit hovering over the water again, as in creation and as noted by David in the psalm we read earlier this week (29). In short, we hear the voice of the Father, see Christ, and witness the Spirit in the form of a dove. It is the Trinity present in a passage.

Gracious God, may we never take what you do through the waters of Holy Baptism for granted. The water, combined with your Word, establish in us our faith. Our faith sustains us and gives us hope. We are in awe by your miraculous hand through the gift of eternal life given us through this faith you give us in Holy Baptism. Amen.

Did you know? John the Baptist "consents" to baptize Christ (v 15). What does that mean? Pastor Stephen will explain tomorrow during his sermon at church.