Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. Matthew 3:13
This is one of the most understated, profound sentences ever written.
Jesus. The Son of God. One of the Trinity. Immanuel, which means “God with us.” Fully man and fully God. He was a human being while willingly putting aside many of His divine attributes.
Jesus came from Galilee. This same Jesus journeyed to this remote desert location to see the eccentric preacher (who was his earthly cousin). It wasn’t a short trip; Galilee would have been several days’ journey. Jesus did it anyway. He walked; He camped; He got dirty and tired and hungry; He met other people along the way.
Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan. He went to the same place that throngs of other people went. He wasn’t the majestic king who would one day enter Jerusalem to applause and praise. Here, Jesus was a commoner who went out into the desert, through hostile territory, to the place where everyone else was going.
Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized. Jesus, who had no sin, went to undergo this ceremonial washing of sins. People were being baptized to remind them that God would wash away their sins and they would be spiritually clean for the rest of their lives. People NEEDED to be baptized because they, like us, were chock full of envy, lust, anger, indifference, and all manner of things that separated them from God. Through baptism, God made a way to remind people that He loved them (and us) and wanted to bridge the gap between Him and us. Jesus chose this.
Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. John was the same man who said that God would come to winnow people like grain on the threshing floor. That the leaders of religion were snakes, hell-bent on controlling people. John was right in saying all this, yet Jesus went to John to be baptized. He who didn’t need to be baptized by the desert firebrand was willingly baptized like everyone else.
Jesus didn’t have to come here because He didn’t have to save us from the consequences of our sins. He could have just wiped our slate clean and started over, but He didn’t. Instead, He chose to live the kind of lives we do, including being baptized. Sinners need baptism to remind us that, with God’s help, we can repent and change and stop doing the sinful things we do. Jesus didn’t need any of that…but He chose it. He chose it so we could relate to Him. Allah wouldn’t choose that; neither did the Buddha, or a thousand Hindu gods. Jesus did. Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John because He profoundly chose to for you and me.
For more reading: Mark 1:4, Matthew 3:14
Lord Jesus, all praise to You and only You for Your tender mercy.
Practical Proverbs 