Describe the baptism of Jesus as recorded by Matthew and indicate its purpose.

Explanation

When John the Baptist was baptising people, Jesus came to him to be baptised in the river Jordan John wished Jesus to baptise him and not him (John) to baptise him (Jesus). Jesus asked John to baptize him so as to fulfil all righteousness. John consented and Jesus was baptised. As he came out of the water, the heavens were opened and the spirit of God descended upon him like a dove and a voice came from heaven saying: "This is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased".

Jesus' baptism was important in the following ways:

(i) The baptism marked Jesus' call to public ministry as a God-sent Messiah.

(ii) Jesus accepted baptism by immersion in order to give his approval to the Jewish ritual of a symbolic cleansing of sin.

(iii) Jesus did not sin, yet he wanted others to be free from sin.