July 31| The Baptism of Jesus: Discover Your God-Given Identity Before You Accomplish a Thing
What’s the first question you face when meeting someone new? More often than not, it’s, “So, what do you do?” Our modern culture is deeply obsessed with resumes, job titles, and lists of accomplishments. From a very young age, we are conditioned to believe that our value is inextricably linked to our productivity and achievements. We internalize the idea that to matter, we must first build an impressive track record. This relentless pressure to perform leaves many of us feeling like we're on a treadmill, constantly striving to prove our worth to the world, to ourselves, and even to God. But what if the Kingdom of God operates on a radically different economy? What if God’s system of validation turns our performance-based world completely on its head?
In the Gospel of Matthew, at the very beginning of Jesus’s public ministry, we witness a profound event that shatters our human-made metrics for value. It's the moment Jesus, the perfect, sinless Son of God, steps into the Jordan River to be baptized by his cousin, John. This single act poses a critical question: why would He need a baptism of repentance? The answer reveals one of the most liberating truths in all of Scripture—a truth that can free you from the weight of performance and allow you to rest in who you truly are. The Baptism of Jesus isn't just a historical event; it's a divine declaration about where true identity comes from.
The Puzzling Scene at the Jordan River
To grasp the weight of this moment, we have to picture the scene. The Judean wilderness is buzzing. John the Baptist, a rugged and fiery prophet, is leading a national revival. His message is sharp and uncompromising: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near!” Thousands of people from Jerusalem and the surrounding regions are flocking to the Jordan River. They are moved by his preaching, confessing their sins, and undergoing a baptism that symbolizes their desire for spiritual cleansing and a new start. The atmosphere is charged with anticipation and repentance.
Into this scene of human brokenness and longing walks Jesus of Nazareth. He has just left behind three decades of a quiet, private life. He approaches John with a simple, yet stunning, request: He asks to be baptized. John’s reaction is one of complete shock. He understands the spiritual order of things—the lesser is blessed by the greater. John knows who Jesus is, recognizing Him as the long-awaited Messiah, the Lamb of God. His response in Matthew 3:14 is perfectly logical: "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" From every human perspective, John is right. It seems backward, unnecessary, and even inappropriate for the sinless one to participate in a sinner’s ritual.
"To Fulfill All Righteousness": Unpacking Jesus's Surprising Motive
Jesus's reply to John is the theological key that unlocks the entire event: “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). This phrase is dense with meaning and reveals several layers of Jesus’s purpose. He wasn't being baptized because He had any personal sin to repent of. Instead, He was doing it for us.
First, it was an act of identification. By stepping into the waters of the Jordan, Jesus was fully identifying with the humanity He came to save. He was standing in solidarity with sinners, not holding Himself apart from them. He entered our world of brokenness and need, demonstrating that He wasn't an aloof deity but a Savior who comes down to our level.
Second, it was an act of inauguration. This event marked the official beginning of His public ministry. It was a clear, public transition from His private life to His role as the Messiah. By submitting to the baptism administered by God’s chosen prophet, John, Jesus was formally stepping onto the stage to begin the work His Father had sent Him to do.
Third, it was an act of perfect obedience. Jesus was modeling a life completely submitted to the will of God the Father. From the very outset of His ministry, He showed that His entire life would be one of perfect obedience. He was fulfilling the righteous requirement of God, not because He was lacking, but to set a perfect example for all who would follow Him.
The Moment Heaven Tore Open: A Divine Endorsement
Once John consents and baptizes Him, something extraordinary happens. As Jesus comes up out of the water, the reality of the moment is ripped open. Matthew 3:16 tells us, "the heavens were opened to him." This isn't just a gentle parting of the clouds; the language suggests a dramatic, supernatural tearing. It's a sign that the barrier between heaven and earth is being breached in the person of Jesus Christ.
Then, two more things occur. The Spirit of God descends "like a dove and lighting on him." The dove is a rich symbol, representing peace, purity, and the Spirit’s presence at creation. Here, it signifies the anointing of Jesus for His messianic mission. He is the chosen one, empowered by the Spirit for the work ahead. This moment is a beautiful, visual confirmation of the Triune Godhead working in unison: the Son is being baptized, the Spirit is descending, and the Father is about to speak.
The Most Important Proclamation: "This is My Beloved Son"
And then comes the climax—the voice of God the Father from heaven. This is the divine pronouncement that frames everything that follows. And what does the Father say? "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17).
Let that statement sink in. This is God’s public endorsement, the official launch of Jesus’s world-changing mission. And it happens before Jesus has healed a blind man, preached the Sermon on the Mount, fed the 5,000, or called a single disciple. Before Jesus did anything of public note, God the Father declared who He was.
Jesus's identity as the beloved, well-pleasing Son was not a reward He earned through His ministry. His ministry was the natural overflow of His secure identity. God wasn't waiting for Jesus to build a resume or prove His worth. The Father's love, delight, and pleasure were already His, inherent to His being. This establishes the divine pattern for us: identity precedes action. Who you are in God's eyes is the foundation for everything you do.
From Performance to Presence: How This Changes Everything for You
This biblical account of the Baptism of Jesus is one of the most profound sources of relief for every Christian. How many of us live with a low-grade spiritual anxiety, feeling like we have to constantly perform for God? We read our Bibles, serve in our communities, and try to be good people, all while secretly hoping we’re doing enough to earn His approval and stay in His good graces. We meticulously build our spiritual resumes, hoping they will be acceptable when presented to God.
But the Gospel truth revealed here demolishes that entire framework. Because of what Jesus accomplished—identifying with us in baptism and ultimately on the cross—when we put our faith in Him, the Father looks at us and says the very same thing: "This is my child, whom I love. With you, I am well pleased."
This becomes our new identity. It's not based on our performance, our spiritual disciplines, or our moral successes. It's based entirely on our position in Christ. We are accepted, loved, and delighted in not because of what we’ve done, but because of who we now are: adopted children of God.
Moving from "Working For" to "Working From" Approval
This shift in perspective is the difference between religion and a relationship. Our service, obedience, and good works are no longer frantic attempts to earn a love we’re afraid of losing. Instead, they become our joyful, grateful response to a love we have already freely and fully received. We no longer work for God's approval; we now get to work from His approval. This changes everything. Prayer becomes a conversation with a loving Father, not a duty. Serving becomes an opportunity to express gratitude, not a way to score points. Obeying His commands becomes a way to honor the one who loves us, not a way to appease an angry judge.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Was Jesus's baptism the same as the Christian baptism we practice today?
A: They are related but distinct. John's baptism was one of repentance in preparation for the Messiah. Christian baptism, instituted after Jesus's resurrection, is an identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, symbolizing our new life in Him. Jesus's baptism was unique, as He had no sin to repent of.
Why did the Spirit appear as a dove?
A: The dove is a symbol of peace and new beginnings (like the dove Noah sent from the ark). In this context, it symbolizes the gentle, pure, and life-giving nature of the Holy Spirit anointing Jesus for His mission of bringing peace between God and humanity.
Did this event prove Jesus's identity to Himself?
A: As the Son of God, Jesus always knew who He was. This event was primarily for our benefit—a public proclamation for John, the crowds, and for all future readers of Scripture to understand the divine authority and identity of Jesus from the very start of His ministry.
The Baptism of Jesus is far more than a simple story; it is the cornerstone of our Christian identity. It teaches us that our value is not measured by our output, our success, or our spiritual perfection. Our value is declared by God Himself. Before you did anything to earn it, God extended His love and approval to you through Christ. Your identity as a deeply loved child of God is a gift, secured by Jesus. Today, let this truth sink deep into your heart. Let it be the foundation upon which you build your entire day, your work, and your relationships. You can rest. You can cease your striving. You don't have to work for His approval, because you already, and always, have it. You are His beloved child, and with you, He is well pleased.
An Invitation to go Deeper….
If today’s message spoke to you, join the FaithLabz 30-Day Prayer Challenge and strengthen your connection with God’s unshakable love. You are never alone—let’s grow together!
