SF889 - The Coming of the Messiah (Matthew 3 13-17)
Matthew 3:13-17
Introduction
In Matthew’s gospel, we are told of the King of Heaven. In 1:1-17, we are given His ancestry, in 1:18-25 we are told of His arrival, in 2:1-12 we witness His adoration, in 2:13-23 we are told of an attempt to assassinate Him, and in 3:1-12 we hear the announcement of His public ministry. Finally in 3:13-17 we witness His anointing, His commissioning to service, as John MacArthur calls it, His coronation.
There are three aspects to Jesus’ commissioning. They involve each person of the Trinity we see the baptism of the Son, the anointing of the Spirit, the confirmation of the Father. Each one of theses events have theological and practical significance today.
1A. The Baptism of the Son (3:13-15)
1B. The place of Jesus’ baptism (3:13)
It was a public place.
John 1:28 (NASB) 28These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Luke 3:21 (NASB) 21Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened,
2B. The protest to Jesus’ baptism (3:14)
John was aware of Jesus’ deity.
“prevent, diekoluen;” imperfect tense, suggests a continual effort.
Ø He opposed Jesus’ baptism because Jesus was God incarnate.
John was aware of Jesus’ purity. (3:14b)
John 1:29 (NASB) 29The next day he saw* Jesus coming to him and said*, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
Ø This is a testimony to Jesus’ sinless ness
Hebrews 4:15 (NASB) 15For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
3B. The purpose of Jesus’ baptism
What it was not
Ø It was not necessary to purify Christ of sin in order that He might become the Messiah. (Gnostic view)
Ø It was not an initiatory rite for His high priesthood.
Ø It was not simply a way for Jesus to identify with the Gentiles.
Ø It was not simply an endorsement of John’s ministry.
Ø It was not a vicarious act whereby the Lord was baptized for the sins of mankind.
What it was
“to fulfill all righteousness,” to fulfill God’s will
Ø An example of obedience for His followers
Ø A means of identifying with sinners.
Isaiah 53:12 (NASB) 12… (he) was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NASB) 21He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Ø A symbol a foreshadow of His death and resurrection
Luke 12:50 (NASB) 50“But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!
2A. The Anointing of the Spirit (3:16)
1B. The source of the Spirit
“the heavens were opened”
Ø This was the Holy Spirit who came from the presence of God
2B. The symbol of the Spirit
“as a dove”
The dove spoke of the sacrifice that was to come.
Doves were used in the Jewish sacrificial system.
The dove spoke of the promise of God’s grace.
It was a dove that Noah sent to confirm that the waters of God’s wrath had given way to promise of God’s grace.
3B. The significance of the coming of the Spirit
Ø In His deity, Christ needed nothing.
Ø But in His humanity He was anointed for service and granted strength for ministry.
Isaiah 61:1 (NASB) 1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;
Ø The coming of the Spirit was a visible confirming sign that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.
3A. The Confirmation by the Father (3:17)
1B. Confirmation of Jesus’ perfection
“well pleased, eudokeo;” to be completely content and satisfied with something.
1 Peter 1:18-19 (NASB) 18knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
2B. Confirmation of Jesus’ position
“beloved, agapetos;” very dear
Jesus has a very special relationship with God.
Hebrews 1:1-3 (NASB) 1God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 3And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
Ø He is the beginning of all things
Ø He is the sustainer of all things
Ø He is the heir of all things.
Application
Hebrews 4:14-16 (NASB) 14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH
Matthew 3:13-17
1A. The ___________________ of the Son (3:13-15)
1B. The ______________ of Jesus’ baptism (3:13)
It was a public place.
John 1:28
Luke 3:21
2B. The ______________ to Jesus’ baptism (3:14)
John was aware of Jesus’ deity.
John was aware of Jesus’ purity.
John 1:29
Hebrews 4:15
3B. The ____________________ of Jesus’ baptism
What it was not
Ø It was not necessary to ______ Christ of sin in order that He might become the Messiah.
Ø It was not an initiatory rite for His high priesthood.
Ø It was not a _____________ for Jesus to identify with the Gentiles.
Ø It was not simply an endorsement of John’s ministry.
Ø It was not a vicarious act whereby the Lord was baptized for the sins of mankind.
What it was
Ø An example of obedience for His followers
Ø An means of identifying with ___________.
Isaiah 53:12
2 Corinthians 5:21
Ø A symbol of His death and resurrection
Luke 12:50
2A. The ___________________ of the Spirit (3:16)
1B. The ________________________ of the Spirit
2B. The ________________________ of the Spirit
The dove spoke of the sacrifice that was to come.
The dove spoke of the promise of God’s grace.
3B. The significance of the coming of the Spirit
Isaiah 61:1
3A. The Confirmation by the Father (3:17)
1B. Confirmation of Jesus’ perfection
1 Peter 1:18-19
2B. Confirmation of Jesus’ position
Hebrews 1:1-3
Ø He is the beginning of ____________ things
Ø He is the sustainer of _____________ things
Ø He is the heir of ________________ things.