MARK 1.9-11: In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. (10) And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. (11) And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (ESV)
So why did Jesus choose to be baptized? He had no need to repent, and no need to be forgiven of anything. And the context of John’s baptism is that it addressed the need of repentance.
I believe that by Jesus choosing to be baptized, He affirmed the importance of repentance in His coming kingdom. I believe that He was not ready to disclose to a widespread community that He is the Messiah at the time of the verses above. I believe this is why He did not elaborate on the point that He didn’t need to repent. But He showed by being baptized by John that John the Baptist’s teaching in general, and with specific reference to repentance, was correct.
Baptism would eventually become important in Jesus’ kingdom and it would be an ordinance commanded by Jesus in the Great Commission to be observed by the church. So I also believe that Jesus set the example of this symbolic act of obedience to demonstrate baptism’s importance for an individual making a public statement of his or her faith in Christ.
Additionally, Jesus spoke of the need of repentance more than anyone. There has been a theological debate engaged from time to time, however, over whether or not a person must repent of his or her sins in order to be saved. Verses of scripture can be brought forward on both sides of the issue.
But one thing is for certain. Repentance is to be an ongoing part of every Christian’s life. So why not begin the life of following Christ by repenting of one’s sins? Let us not waver about this issue. Romans 3.23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (NIV). And 1 John 1.10 says, “If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word has no place in our lives”. (NIV).
We are all sinners and have the need of repenting of sins on an ongoing basis. Without repentance there is no agreement on our part with the need of forgiveness. And if anyone thinks they are without the need of repentance and forgiveness, then it follows that they will eventually convince themselves that they are without the need of Jesus as Savior.
The full explanation that Jesus is without sin and without the need of repentance Himself, and that He is the Messiah, will come later, as the Gospel accounts unfold.