Jesus' Baptism

Stand Alone • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

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Jesus' baptism experience is a re-enactment of the creation of the cosmos recorded in Genesis 1. Those witnessing the baptism would have seen it as God's announcement "I am making all things new." It is imperative we take time to remember our own baptisms, the sign of God's covenant made with us through the shed blood of Jesus Christ--that with and through Jesus we die and with and through Jesus we rise as resurrected new creations. We must not forget that our baptism also announces that we too "are being made new." Baptisms are what the Spirit of God is doing in the mission of God, where we go out into the world to make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to observe the way of Jesus.

Notes

Transcript

Seeing only what we look for

Context of

This story of Jesus’ life was likely written by a man named John Mark, who was likely either one of the earliest disciples outside the 12 or was part of the larger 72, and likely was a good friend of Peter. This was written to non-Jewish Christians who were being persecuted for their faith and needed encouragement while suffering on account of Jesus.

Now the story of Mark begins with John appearing as a prophet, who is preparing the way for the Messiah. A voice crying in the wilderness.

· Whether the ancient ritual of mikvah lies behind John’s baptismal activity at the Jordan River is heavily discussed in scholarship. Many tend to see the ancient Jewish ritual as providing the seedbed for the birth of Christian baptism.

· Why is all of this important for us? It’s important because John’s baptism of repentance does seem to fall in line with the Jewish ritual act of cleansing. The only difference is that something grander appears to be transpiring with John’s activity as he has his eyes set on the coming of the Messiah.

John, is the cousin of Jesus, and he is arguably one of the greatest humans to live, yet he’s not fit to tie his sandals (a slave’s role). John’s esteem and anticipation of the gloriousness of Jesus could not be understated.

John proclaims a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. This is distinct from the baptism of Jesus, who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.

In verse 5, hundreds of people were flocking to John the Baptist, in those days.

READ

Mark 1:9–13 ESV

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.

The Word of the LORD - thanks be to God.

I was trying to get out of the door, but I was missing my favorite accessory. I left the kitchen, and went into the dining room. I checked our living room. Nothing. I was about to take my shoes off and look upstairs when I glance over at megan in the kitchen. With one foot almost on a step, my fateful waist bag/fanny pack was sitting on the kitchen counter, where I started my search in the first place.

It had been right in front of me. But my fanny pack wasn’t where I was looking. I don’t normally put it on the Kitchen counter, so even though I saw it, I didn’t recognize it, because I wasn’t expecting to see it.

Sometimes, we only see what we expect to see.

Some of you have heard before, you know this story of Jesus getting baptized, and you’ve been there, done that, and you hope that I can teach you something new.

Sometimes with the Bible, I wonder if we actually see the words, or if we see what we expect to see. I wonder if i actually see the story, or if i hear what i expect the story to sound like. If I expect it to be a moral story, then that’s all i’ll see.

I wonder if i live my life similarly - if i see my life, but I only see what i expect to see.

I wonder how much I am missing, the beauties right before my eyes, but because I don’t expect to see it, I never recognize the beauty of something right in front of me.

What if I were to tell you that there is something fundamental to your life that would serve to remind you of the power of God in your life. Something that would remind you of the good news of Jesus and the hope you have in him, and you could get this reminder 4-5 times a day, if only you paid attention, and you looked for reminders in unexpected places.

Today we are discussing the baptism of Jesus. There is something beautiful happening in - something powerful - and if we don’t expect to see something powerful when we hear biblical stories, we will never see it.

But first, the Context of

Context of

Historical Context: This story of Jesus’ life was likely written by a man named John Mark, who was likely either one of the earliest disciples outside the 12 or was part of the larger 72, and likely was close to Peter and Paul. This was written to non-Jewish Christians who were being persecuted for their faith and needed encouragement while suffering on account of Jesus around the time of 50 or 60 ad during the time of Roman Emperor Nero - who used Christians as a scapegoat for the fires in Rome.

Now the story of Jesus as recorded by Mark begins with John appearing as a prophet, who is preparing the way for the Messiah. A voice crying in the wilderness. Thousands were flocking to John for repentance and ritual water immersion cleansing.

John proclaims a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. This is distinct from the baptism of Jesus, who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.

In verse 5, hundreds of people were flocking to John the Baptist, in those days.

Please turn with me to Mark chapter 1 - page _________ of the pew bibles in front of you.

It had been right in front of me. But my fanny pack wasn’t where I was looking. I don’t normally put it on the Kitchen counter, so even though I saw it, I didn’t see it. I saw it but I didn’t recognize it because I wasn’t expecting to see it.

Our brains are amazing. We have thousands of stimulus but our minds find a way to filter them to what matters. To focus, even if it’s erroneously, on where we think something should be.

I get the sense that so many of us see so many things, but we only see what we’re looking for - so as a result, we miss so many things. So many unexpected blessings or beauties are often only seen when they smack you across the face or knock you on your bum.

Please turn with me to Mark chapter 1 - page _________ of the pew bibles in front of you.

Let’s see what happens when Jesus is baptized by John - and maybe we’ll see even more than what we thought was happening here.

Remember your baptism.

The first words of the gospel of Mark’s story

John came before Jesus. He is arguably one of the greatest humans to live, yet he’s not fit to tie his sandals (a slave’s role). John’s esteem and anticipation of the gloriousness of Jesus could not be understated.

Remember your baptism.

John proclaims a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. This is distinct from the baptism of Jesus, who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.

Rehearse your baptism.

In verse 5, Thousands are flocking to John the Baptist, in those days.

READ

Mark 1:9–13 ESV

The Word of the LORD - thanks be to God.

Mark 1:9 ESV

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

In the gospel according to Matthew, Jesus tells John to baptize him “for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” This would mean that in order to fully identify with humanity, in order to fulfill the righteousness needed for humanity, he made this act of solidarity with us.

Isaiah 40:3 ESV

A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Questions to consider answering:

What was happening in Jesus’ baptism?

What happens in our baptism? (into christ)

Infant dedications or infant baptism?

How can we remember our baptism?

In the gospel according to Matthew, Jesus tells John to baptize him “for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”

But Mark situates the baptism of Jesus as something that goes even further beyond fulfillment of righteousness. Jesus is doing more than our court appointed community service here.

If we were reading the Bible in a year or in a 90 day plan, we would read this story, and hear what we expect - Jesus gets baptized by John - cool, glad he did it. And we’d move on.

Just like I saw my fanny pack but totally missed it because I didn’t expect it to be there, we might see Jesus’ baptism and totally miss that some amazing is happening here, simply because we didn’t expect it to be there.

Here’s what i think we might have missed, because he didn’t expect it to be here:

Jesus’ Baptism as New Creation

The first word of Mark should alert us of another book:

The very first line invites us to imagine the good news or gospel of Jesus Christ in light of .

Just as in - Beginning God. // Beginning Jesus, the Son of God.

:1 - Beginning God. // Beginning Jesus, the Son of God.

In the beginning

Exegesis:

Mark 1:1 ESV

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

The first word of Mark should alert us of another book:

- Beginning God. // Beginning Jesus, the Son of God.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Key to Mark (1:1)

Like Genesis, Hosea, and the Gospel of John, the first word of Mark is simply “beginning.”

For Mark the introduction of Jesus is no less momentous than the creation of the world, for in Jesus a new creation is at hand.

Mark 1:10 ESV

And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

We further see this in

For Mark the introduction of Jesus is no less momentous than the creation of the world, for in Jesus a new creation is at hand.

Water and Bird Imagery

The first words of the gospel of Mark’s story

Mark 1:10 ESV

And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

John proclaims a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. This is distinct from the baptism of Jesus, who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.

Baptism is a heart change.

In verse 5, Thousands are flocking to John the Baptist, in those days.

READ

Mark 1:9–13 ESV

Jesus came up out of the water and something happens - in - new life came up from the waters, where God would bring land, and a place for plants, animals, and people to dwell. Now Jesus is is bursting forth from the water, bringing a new Kingdom, bringing a new place for people to dwell, namely, in Himself as the King.

The Word of the LORD - thanks be to God.

Something else is happening in this verse: The Spirit descends of Jesus like a dove. Drawing from

Genesis 1:2 ESV

The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Mark 1:9 ESV

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

The Word of the LORD - thanks be to God.

Hovering

So we have some bird imagery here. Any bird fans?

[picture of birds nest from our house]

One of my bushes was recently a sanctuary for some duck and her eggs. As a filipino, duck eggs are a delicacy, especially partially gestated duck eggs called balut.

[picture of Balut]

So naturally, when I saw these eggs in my yard, my filipino instincts kicked in and saliva began to accumulate in my mouth.

Birds, nest, and eggs. When a bird sits upon their eggs in a nest, did you know that do more than just sit. They actually hover, shaking, warming the egg, and so forth, create an environment for life.

Now before I could be tempted to snatch an egg, the duck came back and sat on the eggs. Do you know what the duck is actually doing when they sit on their eggs?

When a bird sits upon their eggs in a nest, did you know that do more than just sit. They actually hover, shaking, warming the egg, and so forth, create an environment for life.

In (water with Spirit hovering - this verb is the same verb used for the movement of a bird, it is also translated in hebrew as fluttering

This is key because in the Spirit hovers like bird [ spirit is described as "hovering" over Jesus, further helping people connect Jesus’ story to - something that would indicate something grand and powerful is happening here.

Now let’s turn to

God Speaking It is Good

Mark 1:11 ESV

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

God gives his verbal pleasure over Jesus - before he has even started his public ministry.

Throughout - we also hear God giving his verbal pleasure, saying it is good - it is ready to begin multiplying life.

What happens next?

Temptation

Working Bottom Line:

Mark 1:12–13 ESV

The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.

The Spirit of God drives Jesus out to the wilderness to be tempted on Satan’s own turf.

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament 1:1–15—Introduction of the One Who Brings the Spirit

1:12–13. It was commonly believed that demons were especially attracted to places like bathhouses, graveyards and deserts. Readers would thus sense the suspense as Jesus battled with Satan on Satan’s own turf. Safety among beasts signified God’s protection (Ezek 34:25; Dan 6:22).

“In - the Story introduces a snake who acts wild in that it speaks and gives order to humans when humans are supposed to order it.” -Oliver Hersey

Where the first temptation for Adam and Eve derailed the story and led them to being removed from the garden, Jesus would withstand the temptation, succeeding where Adam and Eve failed, and he is announcing the beginning of a new garden, a new Kingdom of God where he is the King of Kings.

And the remainder of the gospel would demonstrate what this new Kingdom is like - healing, hope, and love triumphing - bearing the judgment and bringing mercy.

In summary: We see

Summary slide

In summary, we see that in Jesus’ baptism, we have a connection to the creation story of . Through references to

The baptism of Jesus is God’s inauguration of a new creation. God is doing something new in Jesus.

the beginning

the water and bird imagery

God’s spoken pleasure

Temptation

But in Jesus’ baptism, God is creating a new creation. God is doing something new in Jesus. And the remainder of the gospel would demonstrate what this new Kingdom is like - healing, hope, and love triumphing - bearing the judgment and bringing mercy.

So what does this mean for us?

So what does this mean for our baptism?

We are baptized INTO JESUS’ BAPTISM. The water we experience in baptism is the water dripping from Jesus.

We see this in -

Romans 6:3–4 ESV

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

So what does this mean for our baptism

Romans 6:1–4 ESV

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Romans 6:2–4 ESV

By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

When you were baptized

Death, burial resurrection. So baptism should remind us that we are new, and we are sent that we might walk in the newness of life.

Infant or Believer’s Baptism

Now there is some debate in the Christian world about when Baptism should be administered. I want to speak to this briefly and show how both point to Jesus’ baptism.

Anticipatory Sign: Some understand baptism as a SIGN of God’s PROMISE. And this promise is conferred on the people of God - and in - we see Abraham’s family and descendants as recipients of this promise. Therefore, just as Abraham’s family would be circumcised in - as a sign of God’s promises - many therefore follow suit in the new sign of the covenant - by baptizing our babies - children who are part of the visible church.

Baptizing babies does not save them or secure a spot in heaven - it seeks to show the sign of God’s promise to bring new creation.

Fulfilled Sign: Now those who do infant dedications and adult baptisms are seeking to navigate the tension between the importance of saving faith in its connection to the means of how GOd brings re-birth and newness of life.

There is a lot more to say here but I’ll leave it at this: Just as this exit sign isn’t the exit - it points to the door, Baptism does not save, it’s a sign that God saves . Infant Dedications and Baptisms are similar in that they are hopeful signs and declarations that we believe in the promises of God.

Sebestian’s Baptism:

Sebestian’s questions:

What is baptism? It’s a sign and seal. Sign of salvation - it isn’t salvation.

Text:

At MVCC - Sebestian - felt like being washed and made new like a white piece of paper. A purity and cleansing that’s deeper than erasing of an eraser. It’s like getting a new sheet.

What is baptism? It’s a sign and seal. Sign of salvation - it isn’t salvation.

Sebestian - felt like being washed and made new like a white piece of paper. A purity and cleansing that’s deeper than erasing of an eraser. It’s like getting a new sheet.

Working Bottom Line:

Jesus' baptism experience is a re-enactment of the creation of the cosmos recorded in . Those witnessing the baptism would have seen it as God's announcement "I am making all things new." It is imperative we take time to remember our own baptisms, the sign of God's covenant made with us through the shed blood of Jesus Christ--that with and through Jesus we die and with and through Jesus we rise as resurrected new creations. We must not forget that our baptism also announces that we too "are being made new." Baptisms are what the Spirit of God is doing in the mission of God, where we go out into the world to make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to observe the way of Jesus.

Three Take aways:

Remember your baptism.

// (In a beginning...)

// (God's verbal pleasure over new creation, in God says "it's good" 7x)

Baptismal fonts around the worship space.

In summary the baptism of Jesus does 3 things:

Baptismal fonts around the worship space.

// (First Adam tempted immediately after creation, so is second Adam... First Adam fails on account of wild snakes, second Adam withstands the evil one and new creation will burst forth through him from this point forward.)

Inaugurate the New creation.

Creative Element?

Inaugurate the New creation.

Baptismal fonts around the worship space.

What if we have "baptismal fonts" located around the room and we offer people a chance to "remember" their own baptism by physically touching the water after the service and perhaps applying it to their head and hear and feet the way the priests would remember the covenant by applying blood to these places. We would be careful to state that this is not a rebaptism, rather just a way for us to physically remember that we are becoming new creations in, with, and through Jesus.

Remembering our Baptism

You are invited to touch the font, and remember your baptism, and as you walk away, long for the baptism of others.

The mission to be sent to baptize

Remember your baptism.

Rehearse your baptism.

Baptismal fonts around the worship space.

All feedback is welcome!

Conclusion

Questions to consider answering:

What was happening in Jesus’ baptism?

What happens in our baptism? (into christ)

Infant dedications or infant baptism?

How can we remember our baptism?

Conclusion

Remember how i couldn’t find my fanny pack, even though I saw it, I wasn’t expecting to see it?

I am including OL and Noor to this email even though they may already be planning something different for their contexts.

I need this message as much as any one - even as I washed my hands this morning, i was thinking more about the germs than i WAS PREPARING TO GIVE A SERMON ON REMEMBERING YOUR BAPTISM THROUGH ENGAGING WATER!!

We all need this reminder. So today we will remember.

Sometimes, we only see what we expect to see.

Now see the water - expect God to do something different in your mind and heart.

You are invited to touch the font, and remember your baptism, and as you walk away, long for the baptism of others.

During our worship I want to invite you, throughout the response song or as you leave - remember your baptism into Jesus. If you haven’t been baptized, remember your baptism