13 Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. 14 But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” 15 But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him. 16 After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; 17 and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”

Enter Jesus, the inauguration of the king, if you will. Somewhat inauspiciously, He slips in among the crowd without fanfare on His part. He was one among peasants, Pharisees, Sadducees and others. The humble and the proud. Merchants and tradesmen, men and women, weak and mighty. Almost invisible, except John couldn’t help but notice Him.

John immediately was humbled in Jesus’ self-effacing presence. Whereas the baptizer had been the center of attention, he was clear in his role of being the pointer to Christ, the promised, coming One. Even the most significant of men are overwhelmed with their own need in the presence of the all sufficient One. So John rightly questions the propriety of baptizing a person who is clearly greater than himself. What clear vision John had! To see in the mundane things of life (Jesus wore the same kinds of clothes, ate the same kind of food, lived in the same kind of house as everyone else) – to see the divine Presence.

Jesus insisted that John baptize Him—He came to fulfill the law and part of that was to do as the prophet John was calling all to do, to be baptized and make ready for the kingdom. This was the righteous thing to do. He was not beneath the condescending to identify with the people whom He came to save.

Immediately when Jesus came out of the water, we catch a glimpse of the Trinity: Jesus Son of God, the Holy Spirit of God (appearing as a dove to “light on Him”) and the Father (booming His approval and affirming the Father/Son relationship). In it all the Father is immensely pleased, thrilled. Like a proud Father announcing the coming of age of His son, expecting everyone else to be just as excited. To this point Jesus had done no miracles, taught no one yet, had not gone to the cross yet. However, the Father is overwhelmed with pleasure in His Son. What a beautiful relationship of affirmation and affection!

The apostle relishes this relationship: “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God …” (1 John 3:1a).

Father, thank you for bringing me into your Father/Son relationship with Christ. You are my Father, He is my brother. (Heb 2:10-11)