In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
(Mark 1:9-11 ESV)

As John was baptizing all of the people who were repenting of their sins, Jesus appears on the scene.  This is the most unlikely time for the Son of God to show up.  Jesus had no need to repent of sins because He was sinless.  But yet, He allowed John to baptize Him.  His baptism was not for sins, but was to identify with people in their sin showing His willingness to submit to God’s judgment of their sin.

Jesus’ submission to the Father’s will, which meant certain death on a cross, was pleasing to the Father and demonstrated by the Father’s words and the Spirit’s descent upon Jesus.  Notice that all three persons of the Trinity was present – the Father, the Son and the Spirit.

It is hard for us to comprehend what is taking place.  Jesus came into our world to die for our sin.  He was sinless and had no need to die for Himself.  It was all about us.  The Father loves us and wants to spend eternity with us so much that He sent Jesus.  The Father wants us to experience life in Him and not death.  And Jesus submitted to the will of the Father and He came.  He left the glory of heaven and the splendor of the Father’s presence to come into our world to live and to die.  He came as the son of man and He came as the son of God.  He was 100% human and 100% God.  As the son of man, he lived his life as an example for us to follow.  As the son of God, He died for our sin taking God’s judgment for it upon Himself.  And here at His baptism He, as a man, is indwelt by the Spirit just as all those who are born into God’s Kingdom would be.

Know that you are loved,
gaj