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Before Jesus launched His public ministry, He appears to John the Baptist to request baptism by John.  Jesus recognized John as a prophet from God and knew that his message was from God.   Jesus complied with John’s baptism and was immersed in the Jordan River.  Why?
Personal Purpose.                                                                           Jesus’ mission was “to do thy will, O God” (Heb. 10:7).  Jesus was sinless and therefore, did not need to repent or be baptized for the remission of sins–both of which were aspects of John’s baptism (Mark 1:4).  However, positive conformity to God’s Will was most certainly required by Jesus.  Jesus publicly declares by His baptism His resolve to fully surrender His will to God’s will.  Had he not been baptized, He would have fallen into the same camp as the Pharisees and Sadducees who rejected John’s preaching and thus rejected God (Luke 7:30).  Later, Jesus rebukes them for this rejection (Matt. 21:25).
Paramount Principle
“And Jesus answering said unto him, “Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matt. 3:15).  Righteousness is right conduct based upon God’s Word.  John’s baptism was from heaven (authorized by God, Matt. 21:25).  When the Pharisees and Sadducees rejected John’s baptism, they rejected the counsel of God against themselves (Luke 7:30). These Jewish leaders would not repent.  They would not obey John’s preaching.  They would not obey God.  They acted against their own spiritual welfare.  They violated the sacred principle that Jesus spoke and upheld.  This principle must guide every person today.  We must understand that we are amenable to the authority of God.  We must comply with all of His will for our lives or be in transgression of that will.  Transgression of the will of God is sin (I John 3:4).  There are no excuses for not obeying God.  There are no exemptions from obeying God.  Even Jesus Himself, who was without sin (Heb. 4:15; I Pet. 2:22) complied with all of God’s Will.  If anyone could or would have been exempt, it would have been Him.
Perpetual Pattern
Doing all that God instructs us to do is a powerful ethic for pleasing God and living a disciplined life as a Christian.  All of the evil in the world is the result of a departure from doing God’s Will! No excuse is good enough for disobedience to God.  No one is exempt from obeying God.  Jesus’ obedience to God’s Will is a perpetual pattern for all who would follow Him.  We must walk in His steps (I Pet. 2:21).  In the Great Commission, Jesus commanded His disciples to teach men to obey all of His commands (Matt. 28:18-20).  One of those commands is to be baptized (Mark 16:15-16).  Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. He that believeth not shall be damned.”  It is perilous to the soul to disobey the words of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The call to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins is a legitimate part of the gospel.  Peter proclaimed this message on the day of Pentecost and three thousand souls obeyed it (Acts 2:38-41).  Respect for the principle Jesus uttered at His baptism is essential for our salvation.  Will you follow Jesus?