Salvation Unfolds: Through Washing

Today’s readings and songs focus on Christ’s baptism. At first glance, it seems like such a strange thing! Why was Jesus baptized? He had no sin & no guilt to wash away. Matthew’s Gospel reveals that we are not alone in these thoughts— John the Baptist almost takes the words right out of our mouths. Christ, the Truth, gives us a clear answer. It is necessary to fulfill all righteousness. Jesus wasn’t baptized to take away his own sins, but he was baptized so that we might be redeemed. He took on flesh to become like us, and in our baptisms we are washed clean, made holy like him. Today as we remember his Baptism was also remember ours and take great comfort in this truth. By Baptism we were buried with Christ also that we might be raised with him!