Death, Burial, Resurrection

Scripture:
Matthew 3:3-17 (NASB)

Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” 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. After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; 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.”

Devotional:

Verse 17, “and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.’”  Three years later a crowd of people would be shouting praises to Christ as He entered Jerusalem.  Only to be crucified not even a week later.  People heard the voice of God proclaiming who Christ is.  Still they denied who He was and is.

God made a part of Himself human, in order to provide the perfect sacrifice.  This was done so that we can be reconciled to Him.  Through Christ we are given the chance to be reunited with God.  Before He began His ministry Jesus insisted on being baptized.  Since He is sinless He didn’t need baptism to show his repentance.  Still Jesus was baptized.  Jesus’ life should be an example for us to live by.  It is my thought that through His baptism Christ showed us ahead of time His sacrifice.  His baptism symbolized His death, burial, and resurrection.   When we are baptized we are showing our new faith in Christ.  We are showing our death, burial, and resurrection with and through Christ.  Christ was and is the ultimate example to follow.  Why should we be baptized?  One answer is because Christ was baptized.  Do we need any other reason?  Another reason is to show our faith in Christ.  The other reason is the symbolism of the death of our old lives and the birth of our new lives.  If the student is unsure of what to do, imitate the teacher.  Christ is our teacher.  Shouldn’t we follow His example?