I’ve heard many people talk about baptism, asking why some churches or denominations sprinkle water on the forehead of a baby. Some sprinkle water on an adult’s forehead. Some fully submerge people in free moving water. I cannot tell you how or why these different styles of baptism came to be, but what I can tell you is: Jesus, my Savior, was fully submerged in water. “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matt‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬-‭17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Before starting His ministry Jesus, the Word dwelling among us, is our perfect example. As flesh and bone, He must be baptized, fully submerged in free moving water, as He gave over His own will to God’s. He surrendered all. In Jesus’ case it wasn’t sin He was surrendering, but His fleshly side of this life. I think Jesus was submerged in such a way for two reasons: 1) He is the perfect sacrificial Lamb, we are to follow Him and as He was baptized and arose out from the water, He arose from the water victorious as a symbol of His future resurrection. We are baptized in water; announcing to the world that the old man/woman has passed away behold a new creature in Christ emerges. (symbol of our resurrection with Christ) 2) this is the first of many passages where it is revealed that a little dab won’t do us, a little sprinkle isn’t enough. It takes full submersion on our parts. We must be fully surrendered to God, through Jesus Christ. We cannot straddle the fence, be lukewarm, have one foot in the world (sin) and one foot on the solid foundation of Christ. To be fully submerged in Christ our Lord is to be submerged in Him. I do think there are many who seek after being sprinkled a bit on their foreheads because then they get just enough Christianity. So they can both stay in the world (sin) doing what they want at the same time have one “foot” in Christianity by attending church, looking the part and fool themselves into believing they are fine. How is there faith in being sprinkled with a false sense of security in God? How is there true hope, peace, love, mercy or truth in “a little dab will do ya” type of Christianity?

Lord God, Please forgive me for ever thinking that I didn’t have to be completely submerged, not just through baptism but through salvation. I don’t want a dab, a sprinkle or a splash. I want to be fully submerged in the freedom of Christ’s sacrifice for me. I want to so submerged in You that my every thought is upon You, what You would have me do, and what You would want for my life. So submerged that I pray without ceasing. So submerged that I always have a praise on my lips. So submerged that Your Living Word is consistently fashioning me. Here I am Lord, submerge me!