Father in heaven, at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River Your proclaimed Him Your beloved Son and anointed Him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized into His name faithful in their calling as Your children and inheritors with Him of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.
At His baptism Jesus received the Spirit and heard God declare that He was God’s Son. It was a prayer experience in which Jesus heard the voice of His Father. For us, our own baptism too is a religious experience in which we communicate with God. Baptism is more then an objective affair. In baptism we are given the Spirit which enables us to will and to do the Father’s good pleasure.
On society seems almost at times obsessed demanding to have only natural products (examples). When it comes to our Savior He gives us that one thing needful. He gives us Himself.
1. John becomes the Forerunner of Christ.
A. John’s ministry had people asking whether he might be the Christ.
Luke 3:15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ (v.15)
1. They were in expectation.
2. John’s preaching had accomplished its purpose. Luke 3:10-14 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.” Tax collectors also came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” (Vv.7-14)
B. John’s response to their question “Not me”
1. One mightier then he is coming. In comparison to Him, John is not worthy. Luke 3:16 John answered them all; “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. (v.16)
2. His work will be greater than John’s
a. He will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. Luke 3:16 He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. (v.16c)
b. He will bring in the harvest and separate the wheat from the chaff. The harvest will be in His hands.
2. Jesus is the one who is to come – the Christ.
A. Jesus’ baptism is a public proclamation of His ministry.
1. John the Baptism is not even mentioned here. Jesus becomes the central figure. He must remain the central focus in al we do. In this New Year may Christ be the center of everything we do. May our focus be on Him.
2. The witness of the Spirit is shown in His descent as a dove.
3. The blessing of the Father is on His “beloved Son”. Isaiah 42:1 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. (Isaiah 42:1) If the baptism of Jesus was his official initiation into the messianic office, with the descent of the Spirit representing his anointing for the work, the present passage too presents Jesus' ministry in prospect from the perspective of his baptismal inauguration.
B. Jesus’ work begins for us as the beloved Son.
1. He is the real deal.
2. His this first act of His ministry Jesus publicly receives His commission.
3. He must be the center of our lives as our Redeemer.
In the final analysis, nothing matters except this One who was baptized in the waters of the Jordan. He was not an imposter or traveling preacher. He was the One to whom all the prophets pointed. John the Baptist could also only direct the attention of the people to Him, for He is the Beloved Son of the Father.
Schnorr von Carolsfeld Woodcuts © WELS for personal and congregational use
At His baptism Jesus received the Spirit and heard God declare that He was God’s Son. It was a prayer experience in which Jesus heard the voice of His Father. For us, our own baptism too is a religious experience in which we communicate with God. Baptism is more then an objective affair. In baptism we are given the Spirit which enables us to will and to do the Father’s good pleasure.
On society seems almost at times obsessed demanding to have only natural products (examples). When it comes to our Savior He gives us that one thing needful. He gives us Himself.
1. John becomes the Forerunner of Christ.
A. John’s ministry had people asking whether he might be the Christ.
Luke 3:15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ (v.15)
1. They were in expectation.
2. John’s preaching had accomplished its purpose. Luke 3:10-14 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.” Tax collectors also came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” (Vv.7-14)
B. John’s response to their question “Not me”
1. One mightier then he is coming. In comparison to Him, John is not worthy. Luke 3:16 John answered them all; “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. (v.16)
2. His work will be greater than John’s
a. He will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. Luke 3:16 He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. (v.16c)
b. He will bring in the harvest and separate the wheat from the chaff. The harvest will be in His hands.
2. Jesus is the one who is to come – the Christ.
A. Jesus’ baptism is a public proclamation of His ministry.
1. John the Baptism is not even mentioned here. Jesus becomes the central figure. He must remain the central focus in al we do. In this New Year may Christ be the center of everything we do. May our focus be on Him.
2. The witness of the Spirit is shown in His descent as a dove.
3. The blessing of the Father is on His “beloved Son”. Isaiah 42:1 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. (Isaiah 42:1) If the baptism of Jesus was his official initiation into the messianic office, with the descent of the Spirit representing his anointing for the work, the present passage too presents Jesus' ministry in prospect from the perspective of his baptismal inauguration.
B. Jesus’ work begins for us as the beloved Son.
1. He is the real deal.
2. His this first act of His ministry Jesus publicly receives His commission.
3. He must be the center of our lives as our Redeemer.
In the final analysis, nothing matters except this One who was baptized in the waters of the Jordan. He was not an imposter or traveling preacher. He was the One to whom all the prophets pointed. John the Baptist could also only direct the attention of the people to Him, for He is the Beloved Son of the Father.
Schnorr von Carolsfeld Woodcuts © WELS for personal and congregational use
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