Even though Jesus is the sinless Son of God, He must submit to a baptism meant for sinners. He must fulfill all righteousness by being baptized. But where should this baptism take place? Could He be baptized in the Jabbok River? No. In the Kishon River, or in the rivers of Damascus? No. Jesus must be baptized in the Jordan River. But why the Jordan River?
We will learn that the Jordan River is a pivotal place in Old Testament history. But greater yet, when Jesus is baptized at the Jordan, He fulfills the old and brings in the new. Jesus’ baptism at the Jordan points to Jesus as the promised Savior.
First, the Jordan River is where Joshua led Israel into the Promised Land. It happened this way: As soon as the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant touched the Jordan, the waters were parted, and the riverbed was made dry. The priests stood in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel passed over on dry ground. When the people had finished crossing, the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant came up out of the river, and the waters returned to their place.
So, when Jesus is baptized in the Jordan River, He is like Joshua—but greater. Joshua saved Israel from the wilderness, but Jesus saved us from our sins. Joshua led Israel through the Jordan and into the Promised Land—an earthly inheritance, but Jesus delivered us from our wilderness of sin and death and leads us home to heaven—an eternal inheritance. The priests stood in the Jordan untouched by water, but Jesus, the new high priest stands in the Jordan covered with water and with our sin. The Ark of the Covenant symbolized God’s presence, but Jesus is the fulfillment of the Ark. He is God in human flesh. He is the true dwelling place of God among His people. The blood of a lamb was sprinkled on the Ark of the Covenant as an atonement for sin, but Jesus is the Lamb of God who shed His blood as an atonement for our sin.
Second, the Jordan River is where Elijah departed and Elisha was revealed as the new prophet. It happened this way: Elijah touched the Jordan River with his mantle, and the waters parted. Elijah and Elisha crossed over on dry ground. Then Elijah was taken up into heaven, and His mantle fell upon Elisha. Elisha took up the mantle and touched the Jordan river. The waters parted again, and Elisha crossed back over on dry ground. This miracle revealed that Elisha was now the new prophet.
So, at the Jordan River, John the Baptist is like Elijah and Jesus is like Elisha, yet greater. Elijah departs and Elisha is the new prophet. So also, John will depart and Jesus will increase. Out with the old and in with the new. Elijah’s mantle rested on Elisha marking him as the new prophet. When Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus marking Him as the promised Savior.
Finally, the Jordan River is where Naaman the leper was cleansed of his leprosy. It happened this way: A servant girl from Israel told Naaman that Elisha could heal him of his leprosy. Naaman went to the prophet and Elisha told him to wash seven times in the Jordan. At first, Naaman refused. He wanted to wash in other rivers. But he finally obeyed the word of the prophet. He washed seven times in the Jordan, and God miraculously healed him of his leprosy.
So, just as Naaman listened to the prophet and washed in the Jordan, so also Jesus listened to His heavenly Father. Jesus’ road to the cross began with His baptism in the Jordan. Naaman came to the Jordan to get rid of leprosy, but Jesus comes to the Jordan to take upon Himself the leprosy of our sin.
We are like Naaman. Just as Naaman could not cleanse himself of leprosy, so also we cannot cleanse ourselves of our sin. We need Jesus.
So, Jesus’ baptism could not take place in any other river. It must take place at the Jordan where Jesus fulfills the old and brings in the new. Jesus’ baptism reveals Him as the promised Savior, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
One day a man by the name of John was preaching and baptizing at the Jordan. Sinners repented of their sin and were baptized. All of a sudden, Jesus shows up to be baptized.
John did not think that Jesus should be baptized. And if we are honest, neither do we. Deep down, we don’t think He should be baptized either. Why not? Because we want a clean Jesus—and the water of the Jordan River is dirty. We want a spotless Jesus, but the waters of the Jordan were filled with sin: sins of adultery and fornication; sins of idolatry; sins of lying and stealing; and sins of gossip. We don’t want Jesus to get dirty.
But the truth is, He does. He wants to take your sins upon Himself. He wants to carry them all the way to the cross. For if He did not, there would be no salvation.
That is why Jesus said to John, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” It is as if Jesus said, “Continue with this baptism, John. Pour this dirty, sin-filled water over My head. Go ahead. I must take the place of sinners. I must stand in their shoes. I must carry their sins all the way to the cross. Baptize Me as a sinner.” And John did.
Sinners came to John’s baptism to get rid of their sins. But Jesus came to John’s baptism to take our sins upon Himself. Jesus is the Lord of all, yet He came to be the Servant of all. He is the Sinless One who took upon Himself the sin of the whole world. Jesus is our substitute. He took our place under the Law. He did what we fail to do.
When Jesus came up from the water, the Spirit of God descended upon Him, and the Father declared, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Jesus was marked as the promised Messiah, the Son of God.
Jesus must die as a payment for our sin, and He must appease the wrath of God. But where should He die? Could He die in Nazareth? No. Could He die in Galilee? No. Jesus must die in Jerusalem. But why in Jerusalem? It must be in Jerusalem because this is where animals were sacrificed as an atonement for sins and Jesus is the spotless Lamb of God. Jerusalem is where the temple is located and Jesus is the real and new temple.
Jesus must die as a payment for our sin, and He must appease the wrath of God. But how should He die? Could He die by means of stoning? No. He must die on a cross. Deuteronomy 21:23 says, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.” Jesus was nailed to the cross and He was cursed because of our sin. Crucifixion was the way in which Jesus was able to shed blood.
On the cross, Jesus was baptized (covered) in blood. He was numbered with thieves and regarded as a sinner. He bore the wrath of God in our place. He died for our sin and in our place. Jesus was our substitute—both at the Jordan River and on the cross. When we look at Jesus’ baptism, we cannot help but see a cross.
Three days later, He rose from the dead, defeating our enemies of death and the devil. Heaven—our promised land above—now stands open for all who believe.
Where do people go to be baptized? Where do we go to receive the forgiveness of sins? Where do we go to hear the Word of God and preaching? Where do we go to receive the Lord’s Supper—the body and blood of Christ? We do not go to Walmart or to the grocery store. Rather, we come here to God’s house where the Gospel and Sacrament are present. Here in this place, God uses water, word, and bread and wine to deliver to us the forgiveness of sins.
Where were you baptized? At this font or another? The Johnston children were baptized here, as well as Andruw Hawks and others. I was baptized as an infant on November 20 at East Ida Immanuel Lutheran Church in Monroe, Michigan.
When you were baptized, God saved you. As St. Peter declares, “Baptism now saves you” (1 Peter 3:21). And St. Paul writes, “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5).
When you were baptized, you passed through death and rose with Christ. You were clothed with the robe of Christ’s righteousness. You were declared the Father’s beloved child.
Your sin made you dirty, but in Baptism God washed away all your sin. Your sins offended God, but Christ paid for every offense and granted you forgiveness. Your sins made you an outcast, but Baptism made you a child of God. Simple water alone can do nothing, but water joined with God’s Word grants eternal life.
For Israel, the Jordan River was the place of deliverance. They passed through the Jordan and entered the promised land. Likewise, in Baptism you passed through the waters of Baptism and entered God’s kingdom. You were delivered from sin, and heaven was freely given to you. Because of Jesus, the Father now regards you as His beloved. Because of Jesus, the Father is now pleased with you.
Just as Israel followed the Ark of the Covenant, so you now follow Jesus on His path of righteousness. He leads, and you gladly follow. Do not let sin be your master. Love and serve your neighbor. Do not let Satan or the world lead you, but let Christ be your Leader—your greater Joshua—who leads you into heaven—your promised land above.
Do not take your Baptism, the Gospel, or the Sacrament for granted. Do not live like the world. By God’s grace, live a life of repentance and faith in the forgiveness of sins. When you confess your sins and receive Holy Absolution, you are returning to your Baptism. Those sins are drowned, and you emerge forgiven and cleansed.
Your Baptism is the foundation of your Christian life. Your baptism was not merely something that happened in the past. It is a present reality. It is defines who you are in Christ. Who are you? You are a baptized child of God, dearly loved by Him. Always remember your Baptism.
So, when you are burdened with the troubles of this life; when you go through trial and tribulation; and when you have a bad day, remember that you are a baptized child of God. You are loved by God. You are a light in the midst of darkness. The light of Christ shines through you.
May Christ continue to lead and guide you on your journey to heaven. Amen.
