John came to the Jordan river inviting people to a baptism of repentance. Jesus was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. We spend some time early in the broadcast discussing the tremendously interesting person of John the Baptist. His diet and dress were very unique. He was an odd man who lived it the desert, surviving on a diet of locusts and wild honey! Then we discuss Jesus and how that he was baptized by John. Why was this necessary? In this baptism, Jesus was identifying with the people. He identified in their plight. He was not a sinner, and we are. As the people came to John, they confessed their sins. They knew they were sinners and were asking God to forgive them. Jesus was baptized with the baptism of sinners because He can take away the sins of the world - the very bad sins. Sins you would think that are so despicable, that they could never be forgiven. But Jesus would forgive even these sins. And so Jesus took part in the same sign to indicate that He would be providing for us sinners. He is closely identified to us in our sin and yet remained sinless. Just think, all of our sins are transferred to Jesus and all of His benefits are transferred to us! The Heavenly Father's love for Jesus is gifted to us! Praise be to God. This baptism of Jesus also hearkened back to the "baptism" that would have taken place for the Levitical priesthood. Jesus was therefore being anointed by His own Heavenly Father. Participants: Dr. John Vance, Rev. Mark Diedrich, Dan Elmendorf