KBM The Heavens Were Opened

We continue this week looking at our current series “Impact 3:16” but starting today, having finished looking at the Old Testament passages, we now turn our attention to the New Testament. And what better book to start out in than that written by the reformed tax collector Matthew.

In Matthew chapter three we read of John the Baptizer preaching in the wilderness of Judea and preparing the way for the Messiah, Jesus (Matthew 3:1-3). During this preparation phase Jesus comes to John while he is by the Jordan river baptizing people for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 1:4) and seeks to be baptized by John. Obviously Jesus was “without sin” (Hebrews 4:15) and therefore not in need of repentance either. So John, understanding this, seeks to be baptized by Jesus. Let’s read Matthew 3:13-17.

Matthew 3:13–17 ESV

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Now the question people have often asked is “why did Jesus who is perfect need to be baptized.” Jesus tells us that it was “to fulfill all righteousness.” His baptism did this in three ways.

First by fulfilling God’s promise to John by way of identification. The Holy Spirit coming down on Jesus was John’s proof from the Father that Jesus was the promised Messiah and thus proof to us then as well.

John 1:31–34 ESV

31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

Secondly, Jesus’ baptism fulfilled all righteousness by way of “empowerment.” By that I mean this moment demonstrated Jesus was “anointed by God.” A few weeks after his baptism Jesus would read about himself in the Synagogue from the book of Isaiah.

Luke 4:16–19 (ESV)

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Thirdly, Jesus’ baptism fulfilled all righteousness by way of “assurance.” When Jesus was baptized not only were the heavens torn open and the Spirit anoint him (Mark 1:10) but God the Father declared from heaven…

Mark 1:11 ESV

11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

This was all of mankind’s assurance that Jesus had God’s favor and approval.

Jesus’ identification, the Holy Spirit’s anointment, and the Father’s vocal approval are why Jesus was baptized even though he “knew no sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21).