A Sincere Request: Assuming you have read my previous articles titled "Baptism: Total Submission to Jesus Christ" which is for humanity, please review them before proceeding.

An Exceptional Leader:

John the Baptist, being six months older than Jesus, followed in His footsteps carefully. This is why God’s voice in the wilderness was heard only by him, and he became His voice to administer the ‘Baptism of Repentance’ through water to lead humanity to the divine path. He himself followed God’s word and motivated humanity for the same through the ‘Baptism of Repentance’ as recorded in the scripture: From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17

Hesitation Justified:

John the Baptist was hesitant to administer baptism to Jesus when He personally appeared by the Jordan river. As he followed Jesus' footsteps, he understood that it was meaningless and unnecessary to baptize Jesus, to lead Him to the path of truth. He did not want to dare this. Probably, he did not understand that Jesus wanted to set an example by leading from the front and revealing the sacred mystery of 'Baptism of Water'. Yet, his effort to deter Jesus was praiseworthy as he never wanted to be the leader of all leaders, Jesus Christ, as written in the scripture: But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Matthew 3:14

Jesus Seeking a Divine Leader:

A valid question for all who have gained the right to administer baptism through baptism: Do we lead Jesus' flock like John the Baptist? Or have we succumbed to mortality? Leading humanity goes beyond just administering and receiving baptism. Therefore, Jesus is seeking a divine leader among Peter and all those who have been baptized, as stated in John 21:15-17:

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

Are We Prepared to Lead Like John the Baptist:

Jesus questioned Peter, and through him, all who administer or receive baptism: Are we prepared to lead His followers in the same way He did? Are we willing to renounce self-love and worldly desires? Leading from the front is only possible when we love Jesus with the same passion and devotion as John the Baptist and Peter. By asking this question, Jesus is seeking a leader among those who have been baptized and are being baptized, someone with the ability and willingness to sacrifice everything for His love, just as Peter and John the Baptist did, as written in the scripture:

Jesus said to him, 'Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.' - Luke 18:22

Who Benefits from Our Baptism:

All baptized and being baptized must respond to Jesus' query from the heart: Are we truly ready to renounce our selfish desires and worldly attachments, and with the same passion and devotion as John the Baptist and Peter, tread carefully in His footsteps to lead His sons and daughters, who are within our domain, from the front? If not, then what is the benefit of our baptism!

Baptism is A Commitment to Leading by example, like John the Baptist.

To be Continued…..

==> Stay tuned for our next article, where we'll uncover how 'The Severity of Sin and its Consequences' that transforms our faith journey.

Amen!

Praise be to God, Thanks be to God.

Not being Unrighteous is Religion!!

Jharkhand! Peace be upon you!!

India! Peace be upon you!!

Peace to the whole world!!