Sermon Tone Analysis

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.