Of the synoptic gospels, it is Matthew which records the misgivings of John the Baptist about baptizing Jesus: " 'I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?' " (Mtt 3: 14) John's baptism was one of repentance. The word for repentance in Hebrew is shuv which is often translated in Greek as metanoia. It involves a change of life. A turning around to take another path. Jesus' reply to this is: " 'Let it be so for now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness.' " (Mtt 3: 15) Thus, that Jesus be baptized by John, is a part of the Father's plan for salvation. Jesus, although sinless, he nevertheless identifies with the people who long for the coming of the Messiah and the fulfilment of God's promises. He also recognizes the legitimacy of John's ministry and message. Jesus waits until John is martyred before he begins his earthly ministry. The opening message of the ministry is the same as John's: " 'Repent for the kingdom of heaven has come near.' " (Mtt 3: 2 cf Mk 1: 14) There is a sense here that God does not discard John the Baptist. Everything happens in its proper time. In John the Baptist God was giving the Jewish people immediate preparation to reform their lives so that their hearts would be purified to recognize the Messiah when he was revealed. Jesus explains it this way: " 'He (John) was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.' " (Jn 5: 35) This tells us that each of us need repentance before we can have hearts to receive Jesus as he truly is and ears to hear in our own baptisms the words: " 'This is my Son the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.' " (Mtt 3: 17)
