After a service of Baptism [Jn 1]

Today at church we had a baptism and a dedication. Our elders accept that some will not baptize their infants although it is scriptural and wise, and want instead to enter a covenant leading to adult baptism. For one can be indeed baptized as an adult when one has understanding, or as an infant, when your family enters into a covenant with the Almighty that he will bring the vows to effect when you are older.

And this is a witness to Christ. I do not understand why he was baptized, but that when we enter tne water we share in his death and in his resurrection. I do not need to understand everything.

For none of us can answer God.

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me.

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?
On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone,
when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

“Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb,
when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band,
and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors,
and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?

(Job 38:1-11 ESV)

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

(John 1:29-34 ESV)

There are many erudite theologians who speculate on why Christ chose to be baptized: there is one hint here, that in being baptized he was revealed to Israel. But we do not understand what Christ does, nor how God works.

We are not God. We can but glory in his works.