Our Comfort from Christ’s Baptism

Baptism is Christ’s “twice-over”: one by virtue of His personal Baptism, again, by virtue of His authorizing Baptism for others. Our comfort from Christ’s Baptism is wondrous and abundant!
Christ Jesus accepted and believed God’s Word. The reason why I even bring this up is of course that if Jesus hadn’t, He would not have fulfilled all righteousness. Our Lord Jesus did not doubt the Gospel invitation inherent in Baptism. So in connection with His desire to personally be baptized, He asked John to baptize Him, adding, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). God wanted Jesus to do everything for the salvation of all people. Jesus knew this and willingly entered into Baptism to fulfill His Father’s will. At His Baptism, Jesus wanted to begin His ministry as the Lamb of God and take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). He willingly “became sin for us” so that “we might become the righteous one of God through Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). But there was more to it.
Ever the Sin-Bearer, that day at the Jordan your sins and mine and those of all sinners were on His shoulders. Jesus asked John for Baptism to wash away this burden. We see the very idea of this cleansing is divine in origin, affirmed also in the visible presence of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus saw coming to Him in the form of a dove. And then the voice of the Father was heard, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased” (Matthew 3:17). At Christ’s Transfiguration, the Father repeated those words about Jesus and added, “Hear Him!” (Matthew 17:5).
Indeed, we hear Him later speaking of this very same matter, saying, “Go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:20).
Therefore, from the very start of His saving work as Prophet, Priest, and King, our Lord sets up a way for helpless sinners to be brought to Him. “As many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).
By Baptism the Savior is mine and I am His. In my Baptism, I am not given a mere smidgin of His saving work. Rather, He brings me His grace, full pardon, and complete salvation from my sin and guilt.
“Be baptized and wash away your sins” (Acts 22:16). What a wonderful invitation the faithful Ananias here spoke to Saul in Damascus. Some have called this a “Gospel imperative,” similar in nature to the command to come to a table laden with all sorts of great foods and desserts: “Supper is ready. Come and get it!” What I bring to Baptism is no better than my bringing an empty, hungry stomach to the supper, that is, I bring nothing. Even my hunger is something I don’t create myself. I cannot add anything to what Christ Himself has here prepared.
Yet, the comfort of Christ’s Baptism goes further. It includes the application of death’s meaning as payment for our sins. “All of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death” (Romans 6:3). But then also, our own resurrection from the grave comes into the meaning of our Baptism, as Paul writes, “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him” (Romans 6:8).
In view of all this, is it any wonder that we should want Baptism? Any wonder that parents want the great meaning of Baptism for our own infant children? We as parents give thanks that the washing away of sin lies in the application of water and the Word for our children born with sin inherited from us, because “I have been a sinner from birth” (Psalm 51:5). How wonderful also that adults who come to faith in their Savior also have the Gospel in Baptism for their faith! We praise God for this wondrous Sacrament!
James P. Olsen is an ELS pastor emeritus living in Ontario, Wisconsin.