Our Lord Jesus is baptized "to fulfill all righteousness" (Matt. 3:13-

17). He partakes of a baptism for sinners in order that He might be our

substitute and bear the judgment we deserve. In the water, Jesus trades

places with us. Our sin becomes His sin. His righteousness becomes

our righteousness. Our glory, therefore, is in "Christ Jesus, who

became to us . .

righteousness and sanctification and redemption" (1Cor. 1:26-31). Jesus is the

"chosen" One sent from the Father to

release us from the prison house of sin and death (Is. 42:1-7). Baptized

into Christ, we also become the chosen ones, beloved of the Father.

We cross the Jordan with Jesus (Joshua 3) through death into the

promised land of new life with God.