Session 27

Why baptism matters for you

From Mark: A 6-Week Devotional

Have you ever wondered why Jesus got baptized? John’s ministry had one message — turn away from sin and be baptized. John baptized as a way for someone to show his or her willingness to repent. But Jesus was sinless. He didn’t have any reason to repent. So why get baptized?

Because God said so. Jesus did and said only what His Father told Him to do (John 12:49). Just like baptism is our first step of obedience after salvation, it was Jesus’ first step of obedience as He embarked on His mission of building a bridge between humanity and God.

Baptism marked the beginning of Jesus ministry. It was the first time God identified Jesus as His Son, and it identified Jesus with humanity. Through His baptism, Jesus demonstrated the importance of baptism and gave us an example to follow.

Baptism is a matter of obedience for us just like it was for Jesus. The water doesn’t save us or wash away our sins. Jesus did that when He died on a cross in our place. Baptism is a way to publicly declare who we follow and what our lives are about. And if it mattered enough for Jesus to do it, why shouldn’t we?

Reflect:

• Have you been baptized since asking Jesus into your life? Take some time to remember that day, how you felt, and how your life is different now. If you’ve never been baptized, what’s holding you back?
• What do you need to do today to be obedient to what God is asking you to do?