Try the latest Words of Life as Spotify Podcasts.

Tip: To see latest Words of Life, use Refine Search to list by Year. If using Mobile device, Refine Search may be located at end of page.

These words and instructions were given by Christ to John the Baptist when Christ came to John to be baptised. We read how John forbad him, saying, “I have need to be baptised of thee and comest thou to me?” The words of our text were the reply of Christ, and we also begin to wonder at this baptism. The baptism of Christ was unique, and the only one of its kind, but had a significance and purpose. Every other baptism is always linked with a repentance first, and then the baptism. That was the message of John – “Repent and be baptised”. That was the message of the first Apostles as stated by Peter in his first sermon on the day of Pentecost, where he spoke clearly what the Jews who had been circumcised to the father must do – “Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the Holy Ghost.”

Now Christ had nothing to repent for, so that message was not for him. His baptism was more a consecration, and that is why Christ said, “Thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.” Christ came to the earth to fulfil a threefold office on earth. These were: Prophet, Priest and King. Moses had, 1500 years before, foretold of the Prophet role when he declared, “The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me: unto him shall ye hearken.” At the time of His baptism Christ was now of the age of 30 years, when under the Jewish Law He was now to begin His role as Priest – the great High Priest – for redemption work. Under the Law of God, a Priest could not begin His labour until he had been washed and anointed. So, on that day John, who was of the linage of the High Priest office fulfilled the first part of the Law by baptising (or washing) with water, and God fulfilled the second part, the anointing, when the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit came upon Him like a dove. God then gave this office a blessing with the words from heaven, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Christ was now divinely appointed to be our High Priest forever, as declared in Hebrews 4:15, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

We see that which was fulfilled on that day was not for that time alone, but because of the obedience of John, so a High Priest was given to the world forever. Let us make use of this blessing to mankind always in our lives, and if we can have this Prophet and High Priest guide our lives, we are assured that we will also be witness to that third office He bears, that of King of Kings.