The Christ Baptized and Vindicated

Introduction

Thoughout human history, there are no lack of those who claim the title of “Christ” in one form or another. Most have not used the word, but all have raised themselves or been raised by others as heroes, Saviours, and leaders of humanity. Whether a king or a general, a religious figure or moral leader, a businessman, inventor, social justice advocate, speaker, or guru, weak, sinful men have often put themselves forward and been put forward as those who can help humanity and save us from whatever they claim we need saving from. In the midst of all this comotion, we are told the believe that the man Baptised by John in this story is the Saviour of all mankind from their sins.

However, Jesus provides much more than any other person could provide as a proof that he is indeed the Saviour of the world, and that is the testimony of the rest of the Godhead. When Christ calls people to follow him, if they have eyes that are open in faith they will see that he alone can lead us into the promises of the Father and into a world of peace. And for those who follow him, they are called to exhibit a walk of life that displays evidence that God is truly at work.

John 8:17–18 ESV

In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.”

The Baptism

The Baptism takes place after John’s resistance is removed. He is willing to submit to God’s will even though it doesn’t make sense to him. Although it would be preferred that John understood the event as Jesus did, his human limitations prevented that. So it is appropriate for him to “allow” or “tolerate” it in faith.

The reasoning Jesus gives is to fulfil all righteousness:

Be the faithful, righteous Israel that Israel never was.

Reveal himself to be the one who would impute righteousness to God’s people.

Perfectly carry out the ministry that the Father had sent the Son to carry out.

Very little detail is given about the Baptism itself, and the narrative picks up after the baptism when Jesus immediately comes out of the water.

The Word “Behold” is again like a bold text or underline, a part of the narrative that Matthew really wants to highlight and stick in our minds. The Baptism itself is not what Matthew wants us to remember or pay a lot of attention to, it is what happens after the Baptism that is truly significant.

Jesus Baptism is like any other Baptism, but the epiphany and voice that follows are unique.

The Epiphany

What we are told to “behold” the divine epiphany that is comprised of three parts: the opening of the heavens, the decending of the Spirit, and the voice from heaven.

There are some textual varients that put into question just how much of this experience John witnessed. However, we get more of his personal account in John 1:29–34 (ESV)

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

While John may not have seen everything, since Matthew seems to zoom in on Jesus’ own experience, but he was able to percieve the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove resting of Jesus, signalling to John that her was the one he had been waiting for.

The heavens opened.

A unique connection between heaven and earth. God’s silence has be broken in the announcement of Jesus as as God’s Beloved Son.

Jesus ministry beginning with a heavenly witness to its authenticity. The entire Trinity is involved.

Although we are used to associating the Holy Spirit with a dove, there is nothing biblically apart from this story that associetes the Spirit this way. Instead, Israel as a people is biblically associeted with a dove, and the Spirit’s decent shows Jesus, with the power of the Spirit dwelling in him, is the new Isreal. There is also imagery of the dove that finds dry land during the flood of Noah’s day that translates the idea of a new creation, a fresh start for the people of God. The descent of the Spirit, like the descent of the dove during the flood, is a sign that the time of judgement is over and the new world has come.

Anyone who is of God has a heavenly witness to back it up. Jesus reveals his nature in this baptism and in this heaven reveals its support.

This is especially true in relation to the Holy Spirit’s descent, a visible and provable witness of legitimacy that the Kingdom of God has come through Christ.

As disciples who are called to carry on this ministry to the world, we have likewise recieved the Spirit as a proof, both of our salvation and legitimacy. This is not with a breaking of the heavens or a voice, Jesus himself will say that false Christ’s will be able to come a decieve many with those types of signs. No it is the indisputable evidence of a sinner rejecting his sin, his self reliance, his pride, and all that he or she was in the world to serve Christ alone.

The Fruit of the Spirit the proof of the Spirit’s descent on a person.

Fruit based on faith alone.

Fruit that is visible and practical.

The Declaration

With the heavens opened and the third person of the Trinity coming to rest on the second person, ready to work through the Son in his ministry, the Father now reveals his blessing of the Son’s person and ministry.

This blessing is communicated by a voice. While we are not told who is present apart from John and Jesus, it is clear that the voice is not for Jesus’ benifit but for the benefit of those witnessing the event as this is who the voice addresses. The voice declares Jesus to be his son, and not just a son but a “son” modified in tree ways.

First, the Father declares him to be “my” son. This both secures his relationship with the Father and the role he has chosen to play in the redemption of humanity. Jesus is the Son of God, proceeding from the Father to do the Father’s will. He has God’s special blessing as the Father takes ownership of him. Just as God was glorified in his faithfulness to his people, he will be faithful to his son. A parent hangs crude drawing on their fridge simply because it was their child that drew them. The relationship between Father and Son also puts the Christ is a place where he may intercede as the begotten of the Father on behalf of those he came to redeem.

God refer’s to him as his Beloved son. We can talk a lot about the Father’s love for us, but unless we dwell on the Father’s love for his Beloved Son, our faith in that love will be weak. Being in Christ means the Father’s love for his Son is reflected to us, and so the Father loves us with the very love he has for Christ. “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” is directly attached to “How Deep the Father’s Love for Jesus.” Because he is beloved, we are beloved. Because he is favoured, we are favoured. Jesus is the beloved of the Father, and because that is true we can have full confidence in his love for those who have been born again in Christ.

“With whom I am well please.” Through these baptism waters of repentance, many have come confessing their sins and seeking purification from their guilt. They have been baptised by a man who has the same sinful nature as they, though the Spirit of God is working in him. Now with the baptism of Jesus, his own righteousness in himself is revealed in this heavenly witness. This fact becomes the basis of our hope that Jesus can save us. Only one who pleases God can be an effective sacrifice for sin. Only one who pleases God can offer that sacrifice in a way that draws God’s favour, only one who pleases God can lead the people of God away from their sins and into the Father’s presence. Also, not only is he sinless but he is the perfect incarnation of the will of God, the one who submits to his ways perfectly without grumbling. He will not misstep, he will not disqualify himself, and he will remain comitted to to task he has been given by the Father.

Conclusion

In Christ’s baptism, his righteousness was vindicated, his role as the Son of God established, and his divine nature observed. His ministry thus begins with assurance and proof so that those who reject it will be without excuse.

To understand the application of this event, we see that there is an application for the one who has not yet believed, and one for those who have believed.

Believe!

Living a life of Christ-like legitimacy.