13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
(Matthew 3:13-14)
A Childhood Memory of Rescue
The little bird was trapped in our garage. Even with both doors wide open, it couldn’t seem to find its way out, flapping about wildly in panic. My brother and I watched from the driveway, wondering what on earth we could do for the poor creature. Eventually, exhausted by its efforts, it dropped onto a rolling cart by our father’s tool bench.
Quietly, ducking low, my brother slipped into the garage and slowly wheeled the cart outside.
And the little bird flew away, happily chirping. 
Jesus Steps Into Our Humanity
Every year when we celebrate the baptism of Jesus, this childhood memory returns to me. The bird wasn’t trapped by walls—it was trapped by fear and misunderstanding. It couldn’t comprehend our wild gesticulations and shouts as we tried to help it.
After all, we weren’t birds. We were humans.
And Jesus, too, was human.
Pastor Brandon reminded us on Sunday that Jesus did not need to be baptized. He had nothing to repent of. John the Baptist knew this when he said, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus answered, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:14–15).
Why Jesus Chose Baptism
Christians throughout history have reflected on why Jesus chose baptism, and Scripture gives us several clear reasons:
- To fulfill all righteousness (Matthew 3:15)
Jesus chose baptism as an act of obedience to his Father. He set a public example of faithful submission.
- To identify with humanity (Mark 1:4)
Jesus stood in the waters of baptism in solidarity with all sinners. Though he had no sin, he chose to be counted among the broken
- To confirm his identity as the Son of God (Luke 3:22)
God spoke from heaven, sending the symbol of a dove to affirm Jesus’s divinity and his place within the Holy Trinity.
- To begin his public ministry (John 1:29–34)
Called “the Lamb of God” by John the Baptist, Jesus stepped away from the Jordan River and into his mission to bring salvation to the world.
The Gentle Rescue of God
My brother could not become a bird in his rescue attempt, but he understood enough to move gently, quietly, and without threat. He couldn’t speak the bird’s language, but he could understand its fear.
Jesus, however, did become one of us. He stepped into our fear, our confusion, our limitations—not because he needed anything from us, but because we needed everything from him. When we flap and struggle in the dim corners of our own lives, unable to see the way out, he enters our world and leads us into the open air of God’s grace.
🌿 Take Away
When we feel trapped by fear, confusion, or our own limitations, Jesus meets us right where we are. He steps into our humanity—not from a distance, but from within it—so he can gently lead us into the freedom we cannot find on our own.
🙏 Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for entering our humanity and leading us toward freedom. Calm our fears, steady our hearts, and guide us into the wide grace of Your love.
