KBM Jesus' Ministry Begins With Baptism

As we continue our study in “The Life Of Christ” we find ourselves now turning to the point in time when Jesus’ ministry gets its start. For Thirty years there was a troubling silence after the rumor that the Messiah had come. Remember, King Herod had killed hundreds ,if not thousands, of children two years old and younger upon hearing that the “King of Israel” had been born. Those that were once their 30’s are now in their 60’s. Yet, there remained the promise from God that when the Messiah makes his entry into society there would be one, Elijah, that could prepare the way (Malachi 4:5-6; Isaiah 40:3). This of course is John the baptizer. John, Jesus’ cousin, had three jobs as the one who “prepared the way” for Jesus.

First, he was God’s herald. A herald is a preacher that was only allowed speak God’s word and not his own opinions (Matthew 3:1).

Second, John was God’s prophet. This means John was teaching the people about who they needed to look for in the Messiah (John 1:15; Luke 1:16-17).

Third, John was God’s alarmist. What I mean by this is that John was to “sound the alarm” concerning the Israelites indifference to sin to get them to “repent & be baptized for the remission of their sins.” (Matthew 3:11-12; Mark 1:4).

So John was going about Israel preparing the way for the Messiah and his ministry when Jesus, one day, comes but to John to get baptized by him.

This is a significant event here (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:32-34). As I just pointed out, all four gospel accounts describe this event where John baptizes Jesus. This points to how truly important it is, but why is it so important? Jesus tell’s John why it is so important because, remember, John didn’t want to baptize Jesus, knowing Jesus was without sin and perfect (Hebrews 4:15). So, Jesus assures John by saying in Matthew 3:15…

Matthew 3:15 ESV

15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.

So, how did Jesus, the sinless one, being baptized “fulfill all righteousness?” Again we find three reasons for this.

One, Jesus’ baptism fulfilled all righteousness by allowing Jesus to associate with “our” sin problem. Baptism was and is for the forgiveness of sin (Mark 1:4; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16). When Jesus was baptized it was his way of showing us he is with us, for us, and will help us with our sins.

Two, Jesus’ baptism fulfilled all righteousness through empowerment. By that I mean when this took place everyone there could see Jesus was different, because the “heavens were torn” the Holy Spirit descended on him. Jesus even pointed this out in Luke 4:16-19 when he was in Nazareth.

Three, Jesus’ baptism fulfilled all righteousness through “assurance.” God the Father spoke of his acceptance to Jesus to assure him and to those around Jesus to assure everyone else, that God was pleased with his Son.

Mark 1:11 ESV

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

Matthew 3:17 ESV

17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

As we can see Jesus began his ministry with a bang and that continued for the next 3 plus years.