Identifying with Sinners

2019년 1월 13일

Why was Jesus baptized? Being without sin, he had no need to be baptized. John the Baptist was reluctant to baptize his cousin, saying that he, John, should be baptized by Jesus. In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus tells John to do it “to fulfill all righteousness.” In other words, this is the right and just thing to do. Why is that? We can understand the baptism of Jesus in light of his entire life: for others.

God came to earth as Jesus for others (us!) Specifically, for us sinners! If sinners need baptism, then Jesus accepted baptism. If sinners must die, than Jesus accepted even death. During his lifetime, Jesus not only preached to sinners, he willingly associated with them, much to the dismay and disagreement of the supposedly holy people. They criticized Jesus for being a friend of tax collectors and sinners, and ate with drunkards and prostitutes. (Of course, it could also be because they were way more fun and interesting than the stuffy Pharisees.) In any case, Jesus continually shows himself to be Emanuel — God with us.”

This is not to say Jesus approved of, much less participated in, sinning. As St. Paul tells us, Jesus is like us in all things except sin. And “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Our sins do not drive Jesus away. Rather they draw him ever closer to be with us, not to judge or condemn us, but to heal and forgive us. Like a doctor who goes to the ones who are sickest, Jesus comes to us when we sin. Let us therefore never be afraid or ashamed to reach out to him for forgiveness and grace. It’s why he came.

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