introduced into his offices, and thus be publicly recognized as the Messiah
of whose coming the prophecies and types had for many ages borne
witness.
John refused at first to confer his baptism on Christ, for he understood not
what he had to do with the “baptism of repentance.” But Christ said,
“‘Suffer it to be so now,’ NOW as suited to my state of humiliation, my
state as a substitute in the room of sinners.” His reception of baptism was
not necessary on his own account. It was a voluntary act, the same as his
act of becoming incarnate. Yet if the work he had engaged to accomplish
was to be completed, then it became him to take on him the likeness of a
sinner, and to fulfil all righteousness (Matthew 3:15).
The official duty of Christ and the sinless person of Christ are to be
distinguished. It was in his official capacity that he submitted to baptism.
In coming to John our Lord virtually said, “Though sinless, and without
any personal taint, yet in my public or official capacity as the Sent of
God, I stand in the room of many, and bring with me the sin of the world,
for which I am the propitiation.” Christ was not made under the law on his
own account. It was as surety of his people, a position which he
spontaneously assumed. The administration of the rite of baptism was
also a symbol of the baptism of suffering before him in this official
capacity (Luke 12:50). In thus presenting himself he in effect dedicated or
consecrated himself to the work of fulfilling all righteousness.