Baptism of our Lord Epiphany 1 1/13/08 Matthew 3:13-17 Title: Jesus is Baptized! So What?
January 13, 2008
Baptism of Our Lord
Matthew 3:13-17
Title: Jesus is Baptized! So What?
Matthew is not the only one who tells us about Jesus’ baptism. It is mentioned by all four of the Gospel writers. That means that it has great significance. The problem is that while I can show you the significance of the baptism to the people of the time, I need to answer the question, “So what, what does Jesus being baptized have to do with us today?” This is absolutely crucial question that must be answered; otherwise God’s Word will not accomplish its purpose, the strengthening of our faith.
It has been quite some time since we heard about Jesus. As you know the Gospel writers are for the most part silent on almost all of his childhood and young adult life. It seems to me that Jesus has been quietly waiting in the obscurity of his Nazareth hometown for just this moment in history.
This is what I mean. By the time this event we are looking at this morning took place the whole country was buzzing with expectancy. It had been hundreds of years since God had sent them a prophet, one that would speak for him. Then there appears John. People by the hundreds, if not by the thousands were doing coming to hear him and do the unthinkable.
They were coming to the river Jordan to be baptized by John. Jews just did not do that sort of thing, at least as far as repentance was concerned. Being baptized was not something new, but it was only for the Gentile unbelievers. It was their entry rite into the Jewish faith. Jews had their daily sacrifices to take care of their sin. But here they were coming following John into the waters of the Jordan, as they confessed I am sure their national and personal sins. I say that because their way of thinking, unlike ours is that you cannot separate one’s self from the community or nation. They were one and the same. It is still that way in a big chunk of the world today.
Not since the days of the prophet Ezra some 488 years earlier had there been such a turning to God. The time was right. The Old Testament prophecies, such as we heard earlier in our Old Testament reading were being fulfilled as Jesus comes to be baptized. The one who comes to save sinners from the punishment of their sin now meets sinners where sinners are gathering.
“Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan,” Matthew says. And it was at the Jordan that John stood, preparing the way for the Lord. A really remarkable event, when you think about it. John is preaching repentance and administering a baptism of repentance. If you have your Bible you see that at the beginning of chapter 3 he shuns any who refuse to see their need for a Savior. But many keep coming; coming to acknowledge their sin; coming to have the way of the Lord prepared; coming to have their sins washed away through the cleansing waters of a forgiveness-filled baptism.
So the picture we do well to see is one of a great gathering of sinners surrounding John, the last of the Old Testament prophets, although we put him in the New Testament category, as he announces that repentance is necessary in order to prepare the way for the Lord.
Think about it this way. It was, in many ways, like us gathering here in this place confessing—that is saying what God has said. We are sinners who need a Savior. Repentance is a part of what we do. Acknowledging our sins is a part of who we are together. This place is well, not just a place, but a hospital where holy people sinners seek healing from their sin.
We see in this account of Jesus’ baptism Jesus meeting sinners where they are. Now we know that, but it appears that for the people gathered there that day, they did not know it.
Indeed, this is one of the hallmarks of the Christian faith. Every other religion demands that you come to God. You must meet whatever “god” they advocate on that god’s terms. Some religions have very low standards, others higher standards, but every other religion except the Christian religion expects that you meet God’s requirements and expectations.
This is one of the key points for today; if not the theme: Jesus meets sinners where sinners need to be met. First, he leaves Galilee and travels to a place where sinners are gathering.But there is more, and it is even more remarkable.
Consider how God could have meet sinners. Back in Advent we had a Gospel reading that covered Jesus’ baptism. It was in John and in that text John very clearly says that the One coming after was going to come with power and authority.
With humility Saint John, not to be confused with this John, says in his Gospel that he’s not worthy to carry Jesus’ sandals. He then explains what Jesus’ reign will look like, perhaps not even aware that he was preaching about Jesus’ second coming. He says Jesus will “clean house!” He will bring His “wheat” into His barn, but will burn the chaff in unquenchable fire. In fact, the Baptizer’s preaching was so intense one would have expected that Jesus would pull up in a chariot, maybe even a chariot of fire! But as we know he does not. He walks up unannounced just like any other person that day, wanting to be baptized by John.
Yes, he could have come that way, for he did many times in the past. He came in a burning bush. He came as fire. He came in the form of clouds and smoke. He came in earthquakes and the parting of waters. God could have come that way, but he did not. He, who is the creator of all things, the one who has power and dominion over all things, comes in a strangely humble manner. Not very God like by the worlds standards, that is for sure. He meets sinners where they are but He does not fully reveal his glory when he meets them.
We read that John gets it. You can be sure of that. Our text says John would have prevented Jesus from being baptized. Note that He did not say, “Are you sure you want to do this, Jesus?” He said, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” John gets it. He is saying, “This is backward! It’s upside down! There’s no way I should be baptizing the One who has the authority and power to baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire!”
In Jesus’ answer to John we start to find out the reasons for his baptism and why his baptism is so important for us today. We see it before the heavens were opened to him, before the Spirit of God descended like a dove and came to rest on him, and we see it even before a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,”
Jesus addressed John’s very appropriate concern. His answer is short, and to the point. “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” You could almost say it this way, “I have not come to force people to meet my Father’s demands of righteousness but rather to do righteousness for them.”
In other words, Jesus is saying that stepping into the place where sinners stand is precisely what He is all about. And He is saying that undergoing a sinner’s baptism is the way He and John will accomplish God’s saving deed. For to fulfill righteousness is something God does, as those familiar with the Old Testament would know.
With John’s participation, Jesus will enact God’s saving deeds for the people by literally standing with sinners, taking the place of sinners, and receiving from John the baptism that sinners receive.
The rest of the story is the part we know so well; perhaps so well that it has lost its meaning. God does reveal Jesus’ glory. The Spirit descends, and the Father speaks. Yet, even here, each member of the Trinity veils Himself a little.
The Holy Spirit could have descended with fire, but chose not to, coming as something that resembled a dove, a symbol of peace. The Father could have shaken the earth itself. But he speaks in an audible voice. God has chosen in this event to show to the world that Jesus was not adopted at his Baptism as his son, but that he has been anointed in his baptism to do the work He had been conceived and born to do.
The first four verses of the Old Testament prophecy have been fulfilled. So what does this mean for us, today? Well, we are sinners, undeserving of God’s forgiveness; right? Jesus standing in the River Jordan being baptized by John is standing in waters only a sinner would enter.
Jesus meets us today, just as he did that day, when he stood in the waters of the Jordon. He meets us where we are, standing as sinners, or, as we are now, sitting as sinners. He comes to us in the Word and the Lord’s Supper. But most importantly he comes to us in the Baptismal waters. For it is in those waters that God gives us His Holy Spirit and forgiveness. It is there that we are united to Jesus in his death and resurrection.
It is in those baptismal waters that we are changed, where according to God’s words in Romans 6, verse 11, “So you must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
So, you see my dear brothers and sisters in the faith, even as you struggle to live your life as God wants you to, you are united in Christ’s death and resurrection. You are no longer a slave to your passions, whatever they may be, for Christ in his being born, in his being baptized, in his being tempted, as we will see next week, and yes even in his being murdered has freed you from slavery to sin.
What’s more forgiven ones, we can live our lives knowing that when our time comes to die, that life is not over. For in Jesus’ resurrection we can have complete faith that on the last day we will be raised from our graves, brought back to life, reunited with our souls, and live forevermore with God in all holiness and purity. Now that is Good News. Amen.
Baptism of Our Lord
Matthew 3:13-17
Title: Jesus is Baptized! So What?
Matthew is not the only one who tells us about Jesus’ baptism. It is mentioned by all four of the Gospel writers. That means that it has great significance. The problem is that while I can show you the significance of the baptism to the people of the time, I need to answer the question, “So what, what does Jesus being baptized have to do with us today?” This is absolutely crucial question that must be answered; otherwise God’s Word will not accomplish its purpose, the strengthening of our faith.
It has been quite some time since we heard about Jesus. As you know the Gospel writers are for the most part silent on almost all of his childhood and young adult life. It seems to me that Jesus has been quietly waiting in the obscurity of his Nazareth hometown for just this moment in history.
This is what I mean. By the time this event we are looking at this morning took place the whole country was buzzing with expectancy. It had been hundreds of years since God had sent them a prophet, one that would speak for him. Then there appears John. People by the hundreds, if not by the thousands were doing coming to hear him and do the unthinkable.
They were coming to the river Jordan to be baptized by John. Jews just did not do that sort of thing, at least as far as repentance was concerned. Being baptized was not something new, but it was only for the Gentile unbelievers. It was their entry rite into the Jewish faith. Jews had their daily sacrifices to take care of their sin. But here they were coming following John into the waters of the Jordan, as they confessed I am sure their national and personal sins. I say that because their way of thinking, unlike ours is that you cannot separate one’s self from the community or nation. They were one and the same. It is still that way in a big chunk of the world today.
Not since the days of the prophet Ezra some 488 years earlier had there been such a turning to God. The time was right. The Old Testament prophecies, such as we heard earlier in our Old Testament reading were being fulfilled as Jesus comes to be baptized. The one who comes to save sinners from the punishment of their sin now meets sinners where sinners are gathering.
“Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan,” Matthew says. And it was at the Jordan that John stood, preparing the way for the Lord. A really remarkable event, when you think about it. John is preaching repentance and administering a baptism of repentance. If you have your Bible you see that at the beginning of chapter 3 he shuns any who refuse to see their need for a Savior. But many keep coming; coming to acknowledge their sin; coming to have the way of the Lord prepared; coming to have their sins washed away through the cleansing waters of a forgiveness-filled baptism.
So the picture we do well to see is one of a great gathering of sinners surrounding John, the last of the Old Testament prophets, although we put him in the New Testament category, as he announces that repentance is necessary in order to prepare the way for the Lord.
Think about it this way. It was, in many ways, like us gathering here in this place confessing—that is saying what God has said. We are sinners who need a Savior. Repentance is a part of what we do. Acknowledging our sins is a part of who we are together. This place is well, not just a place, but a hospital where holy people sinners seek healing from their sin.
We see in this account of Jesus’ baptism Jesus meeting sinners where they are. Now we know that, but it appears that for the people gathered there that day, they did not know it.
Indeed, this is one of the hallmarks of the Christian faith. Every other religion demands that you come to God. You must meet whatever “god” they advocate on that god’s terms. Some religions have very low standards, others higher standards, but every other religion except the Christian religion expects that you meet God’s requirements and expectations.
This is one of the key points for today; if not the theme: Jesus meets sinners where sinners need to be met. First, he leaves Galilee and travels to a place where sinners are gathering.But there is more, and it is even more remarkable.
Consider how God could have meet sinners. Back in Advent we had a Gospel reading that covered Jesus’ baptism. It was in John and in that text John very clearly says that the One coming after was going to come with power and authority.
With humility Saint John, not to be confused with this John, says in his Gospel that he’s not worthy to carry Jesus’ sandals. He then explains what Jesus’ reign will look like, perhaps not even aware that he was preaching about Jesus’ second coming. He says Jesus will “clean house!” He will bring His “wheat” into His barn, but will burn the chaff in unquenchable fire. In fact, the Baptizer’s preaching was so intense one would have expected that Jesus would pull up in a chariot, maybe even a chariot of fire! But as we know he does not. He walks up unannounced just like any other person that day, wanting to be baptized by John.
Yes, he could have come that way, for he did many times in the past. He came in a burning bush. He came as fire. He came in the form of clouds and smoke. He came in earthquakes and the parting of waters. God could have come that way, but he did not. He, who is the creator of all things, the one who has power and dominion over all things, comes in a strangely humble manner. Not very God like by the worlds standards, that is for sure. He meets sinners where they are but He does not fully reveal his glory when he meets them.
We read that John gets it. You can be sure of that. Our text says John would have prevented Jesus from being baptized. Note that He did not say, “Are you sure you want to do this, Jesus?” He said, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” John gets it. He is saying, “This is backward! It’s upside down! There’s no way I should be baptizing the One who has the authority and power to baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire!”
In Jesus’ answer to John we start to find out the reasons for his baptism and why his baptism is so important for us today. We see it before the heavens were opened to him, before the Spirit of God descended like a dove and came to rest on him, and we see it even before a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,”
Jesus addressed John’s very appropriate concern. His answer is short, and to the point. “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” You could almost say it this way, “I have not come to force people to meet my Father’s demands of righteousness but rather to do righteousness for them.”
In other words, Jesus is saying that stepping into the place where sinners stand is precisely what He is all about. And He is saying that undergoing a sinner’s baptism is the way He and John will accomplish God’s saving deed. For to fulfill righteousness is something God does, as those familiar with the Old Testament would know.
With John’s participation, Jesus will enact God’s saving deeds for the people by literally standing with sinners, taking the place of sinners, and receiving from John the baptism that sinners receive.
The rest of the story is the part we know so well; perhaps so well that it has lost its meaning. God does reveal Jesus’ glory. The Spirit descends, and the Father speaks. Yet, even here, each member of the Trinity veils Himself a little.
The Holy Spirit could have descended with fire, but chose not to, coming as something that resembled a dove, a symbol of peace. The Father could have shaken the earth itself. But he speaks in an audible voice. God has chosen in this event to show to the world that Jesus was not adopted at his Baptism as his son, but that he has been anointed in his baptism to do the work He had been conceived and born to do.
The first four verses of the Old Testament prophecy have been fulfilled. So what does this mean for us, today? Well, we are sinners, undeserving of God’s forgiveness; right? Jesus standing in the River Jordan being baptized by John is standing in waters only a sinner would enter.
Jesus meets us today, just as he did that day, when he stood in the waters of the Jordon. He meets us where we are, standing as sinners, or, as we are now, sitting as sinners. He comes to us in the Word and the Lord’s Supper. But most importantly he comes to us in the Baptismal waters. For it is in those waters that God gives us His Holy Spirit and forgiveness. It is there that we are united to Jesus in his death and resurrection.
It is in those baptismal waters that we are changed, where according to God’s words in Romans 6, verse 11, “So you must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
So, you see my dear brothers and sisters in the faith, even as you struggle to live your life as God wants you to, you are united in Christ’s death and resurrection. You are no longer a slave to your passions, whatever they may be, for Christ in his being born, in his being baptized, in his being tempted, as we will see next week, and yes even in his being murdered has freed you from slavery to sin.
What’s more forgiven ones, we can live our lives knowing that when our time comes to die, that life is not over. For in Jesus’ resurrection we can have complete faith that on the last day we will be raised from our graves, brought back to life, reunited with our souls, and live forevermore with God in all holiness and purity. Now that is Good News. Amen.
posted by Pastor Rhoads | 8:23 PM
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