Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan [River], to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him [vigorously protesting], saying, “It is I who need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” But Jesus replied to him, “Permit it just now; for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John permitted [it and baptized] Him. After Jesus was baptized, He came up immediately out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he (John) saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him (Jesus), and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased and delighted!” Matthew 3:13-17 AMP

A step Jesus Himself took as being the right thing to do 

was to be baptized, as His Father in heaven was leading Him to.

John, at the time, knowing that Jesus was the Holy One,

protested about being called to baptize God’s very own Son.

But Jesus said to John, however, that this should be permitted

as a fulfilling of all righteousness–a demonstration of sins remitted.

After Jesus was baptized, coming up from the water, He was met

by the Spirit of God, descending, like a dove, followed by words we can’t forget…

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased and delighted!”  

Christ came from heaven on a mission–that sins, through Him, would be forgiven and relationship with God arighted.

P. A. Oltrogge

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”  Acts 2:38-40 NKJV

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:14-17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 

Jesus asked to be baptized “to fulfill all righteousness.” By being baptized, Jesus would show His submission to the Father, identify (though sinless) with the sinners that He came to save, and be initiated into His ministry that began shortly. God’s voice coming from heaven confirmed that Jesus was His beloved Son.

…illustration, Pixabay