Mt 3:15 “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” What did Jesus mean about fulfilling “all righteousness”? Is there a message here for you and me?
In the days before Jesus came to John, God had sent John the Baptist to preach a strong message! It was bold, strong, and simple, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” John’s message was intended to bring about a spiritual awakening in order to prepare the nation for the coming of Jesus!
Large crowds of people gathered and listened to his message! Those who responded by repenting of their sins, “… were being baptized by him … as they confessed their sins” (Mt 3:6). John further demanded of those who came that their lives would show proof of their change of heart and mind by a change of life, “Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance …” Every one who repents will change! Without change there is no repentance.
So, when Jesus came to John to be baptized by him, John resisted because he recognized Jesus as the Messiah and knew that He certainly had no need to repent! John said, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” (Mt 3:14)
This was only the second time in His earthly life when the words that Jesus spoke were recorded. (The first time was when He was twelve years old.) Let’s not miss what Jesus said here!
John was correct in knowing that Jesus did not have sins to confess, did not need to repent, did not need to be baptized to show His reception of the message! Why then did Jesus want to be baptized by John? “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Righteousness includes the sum total of all that God required of Jesus then, and of us now! It just the right thing to do!
Jesus willingly did all that God required of Him, and this baptism in water was His way of demonstrating His submission to God’s plan, God’s way! This was Jesus identifying with the people who were coming to God and devoting themselves to Him, to His way and His will for us all!
Notice again the words, “all righteousness”! Those who confess their sins, receive forgiveness, who repent and turn away from their sins, are also submitting to God’s plans for them, plans that are always right! God is the only One who determines what is “right” and what is not! It is His “righteousness” that we must pursue.
On that day, maybe the first day of His public ministry, Jesus set the example by doing what God had determined was “fitting” as He sought to “fulfill all righteousness.” Let us pray that God will fulfill all righteousness in our lives, too!
Everything is About God 