What did Jesus' baptism involve?
Jesus' baptism involved His suffering, death, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. He was placed under all the ramifications of those events, which He called a baptism. It was not a water baptism, but an identification with the work of redemption He alone could accomplish.
Les explains that when the disciples thought they could go and do whatever Jesus was going to do, He told them, 'I have a baptism to be accomplished that you know nothing of.' That baptism was not water; it referred to His death and suffering. He would be placed under all of that which the disciples could never do, but He called it a baptism. He was placed under all of the ramifications of His crucifixion, His burial, and His resurrection, and He called it a baptism. Similarly, Israel passing through the Red Sea under Moses' leadership and the Shekinah cloud was called a baptism, though it was not water. It merely meant they were identified with Moses and His leadership. So we must watch our definitions.
But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
See the restBut I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!