The dialogue between John the Baptist and Jesus at the River Jordan is one of the greatest recorded in the scriptures. As the Baptist argued with the Messiah he was directed to a most divine principle as Jesus told him it was necessary to be baptized in order to fulfill all righteousness – Matt. 3:14-15, But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
John had told people he was not worthy to undo the shoes of the one coming (Luke 3:16) and as the lamb that would take away the sin of the world (John 1:36). This is truly one of the greatest examples ever, Jesus had avoided all protocol and entitlement to show us the right way to servanthood.
Jesus was defining His right standing with God because He is submitting Himself in principle and by example not because He needed to be baptized. It is not just awesome to see Jesus setting His example but also to see John the Baptist submit to the concept as well.
John the Baptist and Jesus both defined leadership not by assertion but by mutual submission. Leadership is not standing at the crossroads giving directions but rather saying follow me, something we all need to do.
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