What Jesus' Baptism Teaches Us

N. T. #20 "What Jesus' Baptism Teaches Us"

March 6, 2023 

Matthew 3-Part 9

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. (verse 16)

LET IT GLOW

When Jesus came to John the Baptist in order to be baptized by him, John felt he was the one who needed to be baptized by Jesus, instead. Jesus was baptized so they would please God and carry out all that God requires. It was to fulfill all righteousness. (verse 15)

In the Greek language, righteousness means equity (of character or act); justification. Equity means straight; uprightness. 

I like how J. Vernon McGee put it:

1. Jesus is identifying Himself completely with sinful mankind. Isaiah prophesied that He would be numbered with the transgressors. (Isa. 53:12) Jesus was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners. He was baptized to completely identified Himself with humanity.
2. Jesus was baptized to be symbolic of death. He entered into death for you and for me. 
3. At this time Jesus was set aside for His office of priest. The Holy Spirit came upon Him for this priestly ministry. Everything Jesus did, His every act, was done by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin: that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Cor. 5:21)

Friend, have you asked Jesus to forgive your sins and become your Savior and Lord? Are we followers trusting in Jesus in all aspects of our life?  Have you been saved and baptized, friend?

LET IT GROW

Since baptized means fully wet, Jesus was immersed completely in the Jordan River, not sprinkled. What happened when he went up straightway (at once; immediately) out of the water? 

Here we have a manifestation of the Trinity. As the Lord Jesus is coming out of the water, the Holy Spirit comes upon Jesus like a dove, and the Father speaks from heaven. God is one, yet in 3 persons at the same time. It is an incomprehensible mystery for us. (Ps. 2:7; Isaiah 42:1)

All three members of the Godhead inaugurated Jesus' ministry. God was well pleased with His Son, Jesus. Publicly, the Holy Spirit and the Father endorsed the Son for His kingdom mission. Thus, He was prepared for battle with the enemy. (4:1-11) (Tony Evans)

What lessons can we learn from Christ's baptism?

1. Righteousness-Every commandment of God must be fulfilled in the believer's life.
2. Sacrifice-Believers should be willing to give of himself that he would die in order to life for God.  (Luke 9:23)
3. Humility-We should be show humility in serving others. (1 Peter 5:5)
4. Identifying with others-We should not exclude others from our life, for they have needs, too. (Galatians 6:2; Romans 15:1)
5. Pioneering the life of repentance and righteousness. All people need to repent of sin and live rightly with our God. (Acts 8:22; Isaiah 55:7)
6. Ministry-We are all to minister unto others by showing mercy, doing good. (Luke 10:36-37; John 13:14; Galatians 6:10) 

[Resource: The Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible]

Jesus Christ calls us to be faithful to Him by serving God and others. We may feel unworthy or lacking in ability, but Christ has given us spiritual gifts and power to carry it out. We are to yield and accept the tasks God has for us in His kingdom work. Blessings will rain from heaven upon us, then.

LET IT GO 

Keep us humbly serving You, God.

Show us the needs of others today so we can help meet them.