Sermon Title: Year of Preparation – The Baptism of Jesus
Jesus came from Galilee. He went to John at the Jordan River to be baptized by him. John tried to stop Him. He said, “I need to be baptized by You. Do You come to me?” Jesus said to him, “Let it be done now. We should do what is right.” John agreed and baptized Jesus. When Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens opened. He saw the Spirit of God coming down and resting on Jesus like a dove. A voice was heard from heaven. It said, “This is My much-loved Son. I am very happy with Him.”
Why did Jesus get baptized? This is a question many ask and Dr. J. Vernon McGee attempts to answer it when he writes the following: “There may be several answers, but the primary reason is stated right here: “For thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.” Jesus is identifying Himself completely with sinful mankind. Isaiah had prophesied that He would be numbered with the transgressors (see Isa. 53:12). Here is a King who identifies Himself with His subjects. Actually, baptism means identification, and I believe identification was the primary purpose for the baptism of the Lord Jesus. Again, the reason Jesus was baptized was not to set an example for us. It was not a pattern for us to follow. Christ was holy—He did not need to repent. You and I do need to repent. He was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners. He was baptized to completely identify Himself with humanity.
There was a second reason Jesus was baptized. Water baptism is symbolic of death. His death was a baptism. You remember that He said to James and John when they wanted to be seated on His right hand and on His left hand in the kingdom, “Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” (Matt. 20:22). You see, Christ’s death was a baptism. He entered into death for you and for me."
At the baptism of Jesus, He identifies Himself with God the Father and as the long promised Messiah. He also demonstrates His obedience, as He humbles Himself to allow John the Baptist to perform the baptism. We will talk more about His obedience and identification with God the Father and what it means to us today as we begin the sermon series, “The Life of Christ,” on Sunday. Hope to see you then!
