Following Jesus to the Jordan River

Intro:

Young couple goes to visit her family for Christmas in New England.

Whole family went for a walk in the wintery wonderland. Hoping to connect with his new family, the young husband suggests they play a game. Follow the leader.

He led off and had them slide on the ice, make snow angels, throw some snowballs.

Then his young bride’s turn to lead. She skipped, jumped, and then, suddenly, turned and kissed her husband.

In the spirit of the game, he spun and… was face to face with his mother in law. Glasses fogged, scarf up around her face. She lowered the scarf and the young man took one for his team and kissed his mother in law.

He later reported privately that it wasn’t that he didn’t like his mother in law but that he simply preferred kissing his wife.

The same rules that apply to the kid’s game apply to life. We choose a leader and we follow. And never doubt that we all follow one kind of leader or another.

Some follow sports figures, some are more involved in politics, others perhaps a business figure in our career field. Maybe the most revered person in your life is a family figure.

Where they go, what they think is most likely where we’re headed.

A moment’s reflection will bring to mind that, at times, even the best of leaders in our lives make mistakes or lead us down the wrong path.

The results of leadership misdirection or error can derail careers, distort values and morals, damage our relationships

Who you follow has serious consequences. It matters who you and I put in front of us to lead.

I do my best to plan out our sermon direction for at least a few months at a time. The beginning of 2021 is no exception. After much thought and prayer over the past few months, I determined that it is vitally important that we dig deeper into what it means for us to be deliberate, dedicated followers of Christ. To have leader, by definition, means that we will be followers. That is the precise definition of discipleship.

Over the next quarter, we’re going to go to the gospels to closely observe our leader, learn from his words and deeds and, just like the original disciples, begin to figure out what it means to be faithful followers.

We begin to follow our leader by going with Him to the banks of the Jordan river.

Context

Matthew 3:13 NLT

13 Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.

[IMAGE] Map of Galilee and Jordan River

For us, going to be baptized is not a difficult activity. We jump in the car, drive a few miles and typically go inside a climate controlled building and down into (relatively) warm water. Not so for Jesus. Depending on where you think John was baptizing, Jesus could have walked anywhere from 6 to 20+ miles over some difficult terrain to get to John from his home in Nazareth.

In beginning his ministry with baptism by a recognized prophet like John, Jesus demonstrates that doing the will of God is a higher priority than any discomfort or challenge we may face.

Matthew 3:14 NLT

14 But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”

John had been given direct insight into Jesus’ true nature by God. He knew that his baptism of repentance was not needed by Jesus.

Jewish practice of baptizing Gentile converts to signify a break from their old life. John extends this practice to Jews to be a powerful experience to indicate that the penitent Jew was preparing for God’s messiah.

In essence, John works pretty hard to talk Jesus out of this.

Here is a recognized Jewish leader, a prophet of God, who has a lot of popularity and pull with the people. Politically, culturally, it could benefit Jesus in opinion polls to go along with what John is saying. If John says he doesn’t need it, then it must be okay.

Jesus doesn’t bend to the opinions or pressures of anyone.

Matthew 3:15 NLT

15 But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him.

This is a curious statement given that Jesus has nothing to repent of. The whole purpose of John’s baptism was to prepare people for the Messiah.

Why, then, does Jesus insist? I believe the answer is to connect. He calls it righteousness.

Doing the right thing at the right time for the right reasons.

This is evidence of true leadership. Jesus submits to baptism just like anyone else. He is signifying that he is completely like us.

Unlike some CEO who puts on the uniform for the day and goes down on the assembly line to be with the workers but goes home that night clean and rested, Jesus gets right down into our dirty lives. He comes out of that muddy water soaked to the skin just like everyone else.

Our God, whom we celebrated as coming in flesh last month, didn’t stop there in connecting with us. His mission to save our very souls called him to lead us by example and by being one with us in every way.

Matthew 3:16–17 NLT

16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

One of only three recorded instances of God speaking publicly in the NT. (baptism, transfiguration, when Jesus prayed before his betrayal.

God confirms that our leader is absolutely trustworthy since he has God as Father.

Spirit descends. A theologically significant fact. In OT, kings were anointed with oil. Jesus, as THE King, isn’t anointed with olive oil which will fade over time. He is anointed by the Holy Spirit of God in a public setting.

Implications

As we stand on the banks of the Jordan and witness Jesus’ baptism, we have the opportunity just as spiritual ancestors did to ponder its significance.

What do we learn to do to follow Jesus’ leadership from this beginning moment?

First, like Jesus, we don’t let anything or anyone get between us and our true mission. We know what it is:

Matthew 28:18–20 NLT

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Jesus didn’t let distance or hardship deter him from taking this step to inaugurate his ministry.

We must not allow distractions keep us from our mission. Not pandemics, etc.

What has distracted you from growing as a disciple? What keeps you from helping others take even a small step in Jesus’ direction?

Second, and similarly, there are many competing voices working to get your attention. Demanding, begging you to follow them. Some are well-meaning, but misguided. Some are simply evil.

We are much too prone to listen to the loudest voice we encounter. Whether it’s a media outlet, social media, or someone who just has a lot of influence, they ingrain our thinking.

It better be Jesus’ words and actions that we pay most attention to and give our highest loyalty.

Luke 9:35 NLT

35 Then a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him.”

Finally, will we provide a place for the Spirit to “land” on us? Will our hearts be a fit home for the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 6:16 NLT

16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

In 1 Peter 2.1, we are reminded that there are all kinds of thinking and behaviors that pollute our minds and hearts.

Last thing before we close:

It would be disingenuous to tell you to make Jesus your leader without acknowledging our current cultural context.

Every four to eight years, we experience the of transfer of power at the highest level of our government. This year’s process has been difficult and, this past week, even tragic.

It’s not my task to tell you what to think about that, it’s never been my responsibility to tell you how to vote.

What I will tell you is this: No matter what leader you choose to give influence in and over your life - whether it’s a coach on a ball field, a teacher in a classroom, a boss or coworker. A media figure, a governor, senator, or president - you must, it is imperative, as a Christian, a follower of Jesus, to view that person’s influence in your life through the filter of Jesus’ ultimate leadership in your life.

His values, morals, teachings, and actions must be ours. Those who would lead us in politics, culture, arts, education and careers have to be viewed through that lens.

Jesus is first, church.