Sermon Notes:
THIS IS MY BELOVED SON:
THE BAPTISM OF JESUS
Matthew 3:13-17 January 14, 2007
INTRODUCTION
In this morning’s Gospel lesson, we read of the Baptism of the Lord Jesus by John the Baptist. This is the traditional lesson appointed for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany, according to our Prayer Book. John is preaching repentance, and reminds us that we cannot receive Christ or salvation if we are not willing to repent. Immediately after His baptism, the Lord Jesus is taken to the wilderness. He goes as a representative of God’s People, subjecting Himself to the disciplining,, purging purposes of God. He identifies with His People, first in our guilt through baptism and then in our struggle against sin as He is tempted by the devil.
I. JESUS IS BAPTIZED IN ORDER TO GIVE JOHN’S MINISTRY HIS STAMP OF APPROVAL.
Through His baptism by John, the Lord Jesus identifies Himself as the One whose way John was preparing.
II. JESUS WAS BAPTIZED IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY WITH US IN OUR SIN AND GUILT.
Water in God’s Word is a symbol of judgment which purifies and cleanses as it destroys, reminding us of the Flood. Water symbolizes the judgment of God on sin which has been averted through repentance and faith in Christ. Notice that the Lord Jesus is standing with the sinners, identifying Himself with them and their need of cleansing. Isaiah 53. He is standing not only with us, but also for us, symbolically receiving the judgment of God on our behalf. Thus, His baptism points us to the Cross. Luke 12. Mark 10. Jesus’ baptism underscores the certainty of God’s judgment on sin.
III. JESUS WAS BAPTIZED IN ORDER TO UNDERSCORE HIS IDENTITY AS THE REDEEMER MESSIAH.
In His baptism, the Lord Jesus repeats Israel’s sojourn in Egypt and the Exodus. In the next chapter (4), he repeats Israel’s wandering in the desert for 40 years. His baptism corresponds to the crossing of the Red Sea. I Corinthians 10. As the Dove appears at His baptism, we are reminded of the Old Testament. Hosea 7:11. The appearance of the Dove of the Holy Spirit teaches us that God the Father is saying that Jesus is indeed the Son of God, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. Psalm 2. Isaiah 42. We are reminded that the Lord Jesus is also the Suffering Servant. Ephesians 1:6.
