Jesus’s Baptism

The Waters of His Anointing

Bible Passage: Matthew 3:13–17

Summary: In this pivotal moment of Jesus' baptism, we witness the humility of Christ as He identifies with humanity and the affirmation of His identity as God's Son through the voice of the Father and the descent of the Holy Spirit.

Application: This passage encourages Christians to embrace their identity as beloved children of God and to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in their lives. It invites believers to reflect on their own baptisms and the commitment to follow Christ daily, reassuring them of God's presence and affirmation in times of doubt and struggle.

Teaching: This sermon teaches that Jesus' baptism signifies the commencement of His earthly ministry and highlights His role as our Savior. It illustrates the importance of baptism as not only an act of obedience but a profound moment of divine affirmation and identity.

How this passage could point to Christ: Jesus' baptism is crucial for understanding His mission as Messiah and points to the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies about the Servant of the Lord. It showcases the relationship between Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the Trinitarian nature of God throughout the Scriptures.

Big Idea: Through His baptism, Jesus exemplifies the path of humility and divine affirmation that believers are called to follow, reinforcing their identity in Christ and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

1. Humility in the Holy Waters

Matthew 3:13–15

A.Jesus approaches John with humility, seeking baptism even though He is sinless.

I. Notice here the scripture says Jesus came to John from Galilee, probably from the city Nazareth. Jesus sought out John, just like Jesus seeks you out today. As you are living your life, Jesus is looking to find you, that you might be saved through Him. God doesn't wait for you to decide to look for Him. God doesn't think you should be left solely with the decision to seek Him, you may never do it, so God seeks us in His on way, and thats different for each of us. For me He sought me by making His presence known in suttle ways. Realizations really that I was protected by Him my whole life, loved by Him through all of my failures, wanted by Him even while I was a sinner. He approached me using other godly people, He gave me a desire to learn the truth of who He is, and He was constantly in my life and my thoughts. He approaches us all a little differently, often times its when we need Him the most and at the most unexpected time He shows up, just like in this scripture. John is preaching the baptism for repentance of sin and that the one who comes after him is mightier, and wouldn't you know it….Jesus showed up right then. Then the problem arises within us just as it did with John the Baptist; we feel unqualified, unworthy of the presence of Jesus in our lives, not to mention the free gift of Grace He brings with Him. So often times we feel overwhelmed, unworthy, lacking and that scares us into inaction. Our fear doesn’t prevent us from accepting Jesus our inability to act in the face of that fear does. So how do we get past that? We let Jesus take the wheel, we do what He who as already overcome the world tells us to do through scripture? Follow Me.

This act of Baptism marks His identification with humanity and submission to God's redemptive plan. It emphasizes that believers are invited to follow Jesus’ example by humbling themselves and recognizing their need for God’s grace, thereby reaffirming their identity as beloved children of God. Jesus models for us how we should respond to following Him, in Baptism.

ii. Matthew 3:15 “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.” Jesus wasnt saying to John that He needed to repent but that John needs to Baptize Jesus, for righteousness. John needed to see jesus baptized and the Heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descend upon Christ like a dove and to hear Gods proclamation because this fulfills John’s ministry, John has heralded in the Messiah.

2. Heavens Herald the Spirit

Matthew 3:16 “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.”

This is a picture of the Holy Trinity.

Its also confirmation for John the Baptist that Jesus is the one he has been heralding . John 1:33 “I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’”

God had told John how he could know the Messiah, then God fulfilled that prophesy with the baptism of Jesus. In this verse God gives us two great treasures: the first is confirmation for John of who the Messiah is, the second is a picture of the triune God of the universe, the Father in Heaven, the Son standing in the River Jordan, and the Holy Spirit descending like a dove upon Christ. Both are important and benefit us to know, but the picture of the Holy Trinity here is so special because this sign kicks off Jesus’s ministry and introduces to the world the Trinity that has always been and will always be our Holy God.

3. God's Voice of Validation

Matthew 3:17

The Father's voice in verse 17 affirms Jesus as His beloved Son, in whom He is well pleased. This assures believers of God's love and acceptance, inviting them to reflect on their baptism as a moment of personal divine affirmation and to live confidently in their identity as children of God.

God spoke over 2000 times in the oLd Testament, but only three times in the New testament during Christ’s life. After Christ’s Ascension, its Jesus who speaks now. God’s voice is a thunderous thing when described in the New testament. But thats God speaking to the masses, He speaks much softer in personal conversations with us individually. I do believe God still speaks to us, maybe not audibly all the time but through the Word and through thoughts, and through peace of mind and through people in our lives.

If you want to hear God, you have to be quiet, you have to be still, but if you seek to hear God, God will speak in some manner to you.

Application 1: Embrace the Call to Humility

Context: Just as Jesus approached John with humility, identifying with humanity, we are called to humble ourselves before God and others.Action: Reflect on areas where pride may hinder your relationship with God or others. Take steps to humble yourself, whether in seeking forgiveness, serving others, or acknowledging your dependence on God.Encouragement: Humility aligns us with God’s redemptive plan and allows us to experience His grace more fully, as Jesus modeled.

Application 2: Live in the Power of the Holy Spirit

Context: The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus at His baptism, marking the commencement of His ministry. As believers, we are given the Holy Spirit to guide, empower, and sustain us in our walk with Christ.Action: Invite the Holy Spirit to lead you in daily decisions, big and small. Pray for the Spirit’s wisdom and strength in areas where you feel weak or uncertain.Encouragement: Remember that the Spirit of God, who empowered Jesus, resides in you, equipping you for every good work and confirming your identity in Christ.

Application 3: Rest in Your Identity as God’s Beloved

Context: The Father’s voice declared Jesus as His beloved Son, in whom He was well pleased. This same affirmation is extended to believers through their union with Christ.Action: Meditate on the truth of your identity as God’s beloved child. Write down reminders of how God has shown His love and affirmation in your life, especially during times of doubt or struggle.Encouragement: Let this truth shape your confidence and decisions, knowing that your worth is not in what you do but in who you are in Christ.