You're Invited to Jesus' Baptism

Introduction: Have you ever been invited to someone's baptism? Many of you have. It’s not uncommon for those being baptized to want to share that event with their family and friends. Your baptism is a great opportunity to invite an unsaved family member or friend to something that presents the Gospel. In baptism, we have the whole gospel message presented – the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15: 3-5; Romans 6:3-4).

Well, today you and I have been invited to look back at the baptism of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ baptism is recorded in all three synoptic Gospels (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–23).

What do we learn about the baptism of Jesus in this section of Matthew’s Gospel? We learn the following:

I. Jesus came to be baptized – v. 13

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.

Look at the first three words,

· Then Jesus Came

Last week we read that people came from Jerusalem, Judea, and the surrounding regions to be baptized by John the Baptist (3:5-6). We also read that the Pharisees and the Sadducees came to see what John the Baptist was doing out in the wilderness of Judea (3:7). And now we read that “Then Jesus Came” (3:13).

Why didn’t Jesus come earlier? Why now? Timing is everything with Jesus. Jesus showed up before John the Baptist at the precise time for the introduction of His public ministry.

Where did Jesus come from? We read,

· From Galilee –

Galilee in the Bible - The region of Galilee is referred to 69 times in the Bible. Joshua brought the region of Galilee under Israelite domination when he defeated the Canaanite league led by Jabin (Josh 11:1–11). Four of the Israelite tribes were assigned to this area (Asher, Issachar, Zebulun and Naphtali; Josh 19). Galilee is prominent in the Gospels as the scene of Jesus’ childhood and much of His public ministry (Matt 2:22–23; 4:12, 23). Most of the 12 apostles were from the region of Galilee (John 1:44; Matt 4:18–21).

Name and Location - The name “Galilee” literally means “circle” or “district,” the fuller expression of which is “district of the Gentiles” (Isa 9:1; Matt 4:15).

Topography - Galilee is the highest region of Israel, with elevations ranging from 3,962 feet at Mount Meron to 680 feet below sea level at the Sea of Galilee.[1]

Jesus' boyhood town, Nazareth was in the region of Galilee. Here in our text, we discover that Jesus traveled from Nazareth to come face-to-face with the baptizer, John. This is about 79.5 miles trip on foot.

Next, we read,

· To John at the Jordan –

Jesus came to John at the Jordan. The Jordan is a river. The Jordan starts at the base of Mount Hermon in the North and flows south to the Sea of Galilee, then to the Dead Sea. It is a river that is 157 miles in length.

The Jordan River was central to John the Baptist’s ministry. Question: Why would you need a river if baptism were done any other way than immersion? You wouldn’t!

Baptism Discussion at a Pastor’s Luncheon

Early on when I started here at SLBC I attended a Pastor’s IEBA luncheon in Spokane. Several of the Pastors were talking about baptism and how they required anyone who wanted to become a member of their church to be rebaptized, even though they may have been baptized before. These two pastors spent a lot of time throwing their ideas back and forth. After listening for a while, I leaned over and said, “I don’t think you have really been baptized unless you have been baptized in the Jordan.” They paused, and looked at me, as if to say, “We didn’t invite you into the conversation.”

While the Jordan may not be important to us today for believer’s baptism, it was vital for John’s ministry, and Jesus’ baptism.

Why did Jesus come to John?

· To be baptized by him –

Jesus came to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. But why? After all, John’s baptism was unto repentance. Jesus had nothing to repent over – He was sinless. Here are some key Scriptures:

· 2 Corinthians 5:21 - For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

· Hebrews 4:15 - For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

· 1 John 3:5 - And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.

Jesus coming to be baptized by John bothered him for this very reason. This brings us to our next point.

II. John tried to prevent Him from being baptized – v. 14

And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”

· And John tried to prevent him,

Why did John try to prevent Jesus from being baptized? Because he knew that Jesus didn’t need to repent – He was the sinless Son of God.

John knew Jesus. John grew up around Jesus – they were cousins. No doubt they played together. Because John knew that Jesus was the Messiah and that he wanted to be baptized, he was having a difficult time.

Bible translations render John’s argument with Jesus as follows:

1. John tried to stop him.

2. John tried to talk him out of it.

3. John tried to hinder him (this is the literal Greek meaning).

Why would John the Baptist who was busy baptizing people want to stop Jesus from being baptized? Because John knew himself well. Look at what he says to Jesus…

· Saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”

John the Baptist knew that he himself was a sinner and that if anyone needed to be baptized it was him. Jesus was sinless. He had nothing to repent from. He was perfect, whole, without any blemish.

John might have known himself, but he didn’t know God’s purpose for Jesus’ baptism. But he is going to find out.

III. Jesus said to John to permit Him to be baptized – v. 15

But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.

· But Jesus answered and said to him,

Jesus speaks directly to John the Baptist about his baptism. He is going to share with John the purpose of why He came to him to be baptized. We read…

· “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”

Again, as we turn to additional Bible translations, we get the big picture of what Jesus was saying to John the Baptist. He said,

1. Permit it to be so

2. Allow it to happen

3. Suffer it to be so

4. Thus it is fitting

What Jesus said to John provides us with a window into the future ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ baptism would “fulfill all righteousness.” This means that Jesus would be doing everything that God the Father desired of Him. In other words, both John and Jesus would be carrying out the Father’s will. And Scripture is all about carrying out God’s will.

· Then he allowed Him.

Why did Jesus have to push John the Baptist to baptize Him?

B.B. Barton writes, “Although Jesus did not need forgiveness, he was baptized for the following reasons: (1) to confess sin on behalf of the nation, as Isaiah, Ezra, and Nehemiah had done (see Ezra 9:2; Nehemiah 1:6; 9:1ff.; Isaiah 6:5); (2) to accomplish God’s mission and advance God’s work in the world; (3) to inaugurate his public ministry to bring the message of salvation to all people; (4) to show support for John’s ministry; (5) to identify with the penitent people of God, thus with humanness and sin; and (6) to give us an example to follow.”[2]

John the Baptist heard Jesus, and then he baptized Jesus.

IV. John baptized Jesus as He requested – v. 16-17

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

· When He had been baptized,

God’s will for Jesus was accomplished and His Son was baptized in the Jordan by John the Baptist in the wilderness of Judea.

· Jesus came up immediately from the water;

From your reading of this passage, what is the mode (method) of baptism? It appears to me that it was total immersion. Jesus went under the water, and we read the words “came up immediately from the water.” Jesus was placed under the water or dipped under the water.

Even the Greek word for baptism is “baptizo” which means to dip or immerse in water.

We finally come to the last two verses of Matthew 3.

V. The Godhead approves Jesus’ baptism – v. 16-17

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

What do we have in these verses? We found the following:

God the Son was Baptized

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.

Here we read of the approval of the Trinity of Jesus’ baptism.

· The heavens were opened to Him

As Jesus stood standing in the waters the heavens parted, and He was able to see into glory. He saw the other persons of the Trinity – the Godhead.

Next, we read,

God the Holy Spirit Came Down

· The Spirit of God descended like a dove and alighting upon Him.

Bible teachers tell us that the symbol of the Holy Spirit in the Bible is the dove. The Christian Church today uses the dove as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. We do that here at Spirit Lake Baptist Church. In the Bible, the dove is a picture of purity and peace (Matthew 10:6).

Pastor David Guzik provides the following insight as to how a dove represents the work of the Holy Spirit. He writes,

· Like a dove, the work of the Holy Spirit can be swift.

· Like a dove, the work of the Holy Spirit can be soft and gentle.

· Like a dove, the work of the Holy Spirit brings peace.

· Like a dove, the work of the Holy Spirit is harmless.

· Like a dove, the work of the Holy Spirit speaks of love.

We also know that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Son (John 16:13-14).

As I looked at the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus, I saw these three things: Spirit power, Spirit peace, and Spirit presence.

Finally, we read that,

God the Father Spoke

· A voice from heaven spoke saying, “This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Here we find the Father’s approval for the baptism of His Son.

Are you aware that three times God the Father spoke in the New Testament?

1. Here at Christ’s baptism – Matthew 3:13-17

2. At Christ’s Transfiguration – Matthew 17:3

3. At Christ’s approach to the cross – John 12:27-30

So, again, what do we have in these verses? The Godhead:

1. The Son is baptized – Acknowledge.

2. The Spirit descends – Anointing.

3. The Father speaks – Approval.

I would encourage you to draw a triangle in the margin of your Bible next to verses 16-17 to remind you that these two verses are TRINITY verses. I do this whenever I come across a section of Scripture that speaks of the Trinity.

Conclusion: In closing what are the lessons for us as the followers of Jesus Christ today?

1. Like Jesus, you must come to be baptized. Identify yourself as a follower of Jesus Christ.

2. Don’t put baptism off. Now is your time for baptism.

3. It is the right thing for you to do. It fulfills all righteousness. It is God’s will for your life.

4. Once baptized live like you have been baptized.

5. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change.

6. Baptism is a picture of the Gospel – death, burial, and resurrection.

7. Baptism is TRINITY approved.

[1]Laney, J. C. (2016). Galilee. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, L. Wentz, E. Ritzema, & W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Lexham Press. [2]Barton, B. B. (1996). Matthew(p. 51). Tyndale House Publishers.