I remember the Taiwanese swimming pool where I was water baptized and made a public proclamation of Jesus Christ as my Lord. My mom managed to get a picture through the rain.
Was it 1975 or 1976? At the moment, I don’t recall the calendar designation, but I do remember it as a very special moment. My dad was the pastor who led me through the sacrament. My mom, brother, and sister stood at the side of the pool. Surrounding them were numerous friends from Morrison Christian Academy and church family from Immanuel Baptist Church in Taichung. I wanted everyone to know that I was sold-out to Jesus.
The smile on Dad’s face felt no doubt that he was proud of me. My dad’s glasses were foggy from the humidity of a light rain and his funny-looking white robe was soaked, but he had a big smile on face. His voice boomed, reflecting back from the surface of the broken water. “I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Splash, then back up. What a moment!
After coming to earth as a baby and living a sinless life until adulthood, Jesus sets the example for us in water baptism. Before the release of Jesus’ public ministry, He goes to the Jordan to be baptized by John. As Jesus’ earthly relative, I bet John grew up being compared to Jesus! I can easily picture Elizabeth (Mary’s relative) saying, “Why don’t you act more like your cousin, Jesus?” Can you imagine John the Baptist’s surprise as Jesus enters into the Jordan to be baptized? John knows Jesus doesn’t need to repent, but he yields to Jesus’ request. I wonder if John was startled by the voice from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased (Luke 3:22 NIV).”
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Father God publicly announces Jesus’ identity and commends Him before Jesus does any public ministry. No healings, no exorcisms, no resurrections, just the exemplary act of baptism – and Father God issues praise.
Jesus never had to be depressed on a good day because His relationship with His Father was just fine. Jesus never had to worry on a bad day because His relationship with His Father was still just fine. Jesus did not depend on His performance to settle His identity. His Father affirmed Him before He performed the first public miracle, before He healed the first person, before He died on the cross and rose again.
Jesus’ identity was never performance-based; rather, it was grounded in Father God. Jesus’ identity was built on ministry-performance but upon real relationship. Upon what is your identity rooted?
