At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Mark 1:9
The Old Testament Jews, in accordance with strict Levitical law, followed rigorous cleansing rituals and diligently aspired to remain Holy by avoiding things considered unclean and repeated washings many times daily. John, the prophet who proclaimed the coming of the LORD, began a new cleansing or baptizing. It was a baptizing of repentance, a new order cleanliness.
Today we refer to baptism as a Holy Sacrament, an outward sign of an inward grace. Jesus, who was Holy and pure, stepped foot into the Jordan. When He rose from the water He was acknowledge by God and the Holy Spirit came upon Him, empowering Him to do the work He came to do. Praise be to God!
Jesus modeled, baptism as a symbol of a radical change in a person’s life. I was once asked by a small child, “Why does the church have a bathtub?” I replied, “To show the world you have washed away all your sin dirt.”
Spit Shined and Ready to Go,
Gretchen