As we come to the end of the Christmas season, we hear of Jesus' baptism. John the Baptist questions Jesus: "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?" Jesus didn't need to be washed clean of any sin, and John the Baptist knew it. But nonetheless, Jesus was humble enough to be baptized like the rest of us. By being baptized, Jesus emphasized the importance of participating in this sacred action. And later in his ministry, he confirmed the significance of baptism when he instructed his apostles to "make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).
Through baptism, we become disciples of Jesus. As baptized Christians, we are both called and equipped to be Christ's followers, his pupils and his friends. Jesus humbled himself for our sake. Let us show our gratitude by being his faithful disciples today and every day.
