Perfection Baptized

Luke 3:21-22 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized, too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
&
Matthew 3:13-15 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?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 
 
IT was time for the LORD God to inaugurate Jesus’ ministry and establish the Kingdom of God on earth. Jesus’ baptism is as necessary to Jesus’ redeeming ministry as is his teaching, healing, preaching, death, resurrection and ascension. Jesus said so when he told John, “It is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.”  Why was it proper and necessary for the sinless Son of God to be experience the baptism of repentance?
    God’s story declares from Genesis to Revelation that God’s Kingdom is defined by God’s righteousness. Look, for example in Genesis 6:9 “This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.” The righteous Noah became God’s Kingdom representative to save mankind from total destruction. Then see how the wayward King Saul defined God’s anointed David: 1 Samuel 24:17 “You are more righteous than I,” he said. “You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly.” And note well the description of God’s people in Revelation 19:8 “Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” Fine linen illustrates the righteous church. Jesus came to be a man, so he could demonstrate obedience to the law as a man. Jesus’ baptism witnessed to all Israel that each man must repent. It is God’s design for the Kingdom of God. The Son of God did not need to be baptized. But Jesus, the man, did. That’s why he told John, “It is proper for us to do this.” His baptism would show the way of eternal repentance for each person washed clean in Jesus’ blood. Kingdom rules are very specific. Jesus followed the Father’s direction.
   Be so very thankful for the perfect Savior. His perfection makes your eternal righteousness possible. One day, as the Holy Spirit has made you perfect in Jesus’ resurrection, you will wear the white linen of righteousness in Heaven.
   A final note regards the dove, which is always associated with the Holy Spirit. Did the Holy Spirit settle onto Jesus in the form of a dove? The Bible doesn’t say that.  Instead, The Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. It seems the Spirit came as a visible body, so John would know that Jesus is the Son of God. John, the prophet, was given a glimpse of heaven as granted to other prophets. This entire scene is reminiscent of  the Transfiguration. Earthly men see God’s glory. God affirms their calling and prepares them for heaven’s glory to come.