Thursday prior to Epiphany 1 - The Baptism of our Lord

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Acts 10:34-43—God accepts us by forgiving us for Jesus’ sake (verse 43).  The glory of God is seen in the anointing of Jesus as Messiah by the gift of the Spirit and in His life of doing good, made possible by God’s being with Him.  Peter, in a sermon to Cornelius, tells the story of the Gospel. The passage is a part of Peter’s sermon to Cornelius and his family in Caesarea. It marks the giving of the Gospel to the Gentiles. In this sermon Peter reminded his listeners how Jesus, after His baptism when He received the Spirit, went about preaching and healing. Peter says he was one of the witnesses to Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Faith in Jesus brings forgiveness of sin. How does this lesson relate to Jesus’ baptism? Peter sees Jesus’ baptism as the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, testifies to the fact that at baptism Jesus received the Spirit and power to carry out His ministry, and tells Cornelius that forgiveness, which is endemic to baptism, comes from faith in Jesus.

“But in every nation, anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him.” (Acts 10:35

The key to this verse is that God accepts those who fear and obey Him, It is Jesus Christ alone who has done just that. The glory of God is seen in the appointing of Jesus as Messiah by the gift of the Spirit and in His life of doing good, made possible by the Father being with Him.,

The great marvel of Christmas is that God becomes human. The great marvel of Epiphany is that this man is also true God. Being both true God and true man; Jesus is the Savior of all men.  For those of Jewish origin at the time of the early church this was a tremendous challenge to faith. Even the Apostle Peter, after being filled with the Holy Ghost on Pentecost could believe this truth only virtue of a special vision from, God. (Vv.9-16)

In the book of Acts Cornelius is the third Gentile to become a member of the household of faith. (The Ethiopian eunuch Acts 8:27; while Nicolas the proselyte becoming the first in Acts 6:5) In this special outreach of the Lord He teaches us again in a very special way just who is acceptable to God.  How does one become acceptable to God? If you can meet two conditions; fear God and do what is right.

Man’s problem is that he often does not understand the consequences of sin, namely, God’s just anger and our eternal separation from Him. There is more than just feeling guilty. Every person of every land in every condition of life is affected by sin. The consequences in this life and in eternity are dreadful unless one is rescued from them by God through His Son Jesus.

This is where good news comes for even though there is not one person who can fear God and do right God still can accept you for Jesus’ sake. Jesus is the only one who feared God perfectly; He did what is right for your benefit. He has delivered every person from the guilt, punishment and slavery of sin so that in His life, new life now and life in eternity is now yours.

A Collect for the Baptism of our Lord: Almighty, eternal God, when the Spirit descended upon Jesus at His baptism in the Jordan, You revealed Him as Your own beloved Son. Keep us, Your children born of water and the Spirit, faithful to our calling. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. [2]

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[1] Baptism of Jesus, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] Collect for the Baptism of our Lord, Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House

 

Wednesday prior to Epiphany 1 - The Baptism of our Lord

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Isaiah 42:1-91—God chooses and delights in His Servant.  Epiphany deals with light. God chooses His servant to be the light of the nations. Epiphany is the season for world outreach with the Gospel. The Lord describes the character and work of His Servant. This is the first of four servant songs in Isaiah. In verses 1-4 the Servant is described as chosen and well-pleasing to the Lord, Spirit-filled, patient, and faithful. In verses 5-9, the work of the Servant is to bring the light of salvation to the world, justice, and He shall be a covenant of the people. How does this passage relate to Jesus’ baptism? As the Servant was anointed with the Spirit, Jesus at His baptism received the Holy Spirit. As the Servant was “chosen, in whom my soul delights,” at His baptism, God’s voice said, “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.” As the Servant was given a task (vv. 6-7), Jesus’ ministry began at His baptism.

The days since Christmas are short compared to the approximately thirty years between Jesus’ birth and His baptism by John. Yet, many in our day have already forgotten why Jesus’ birth was so important. Others, as in Jesus’ day, with eager or curious expectation to see what His mission in life will be. 

The baptism of Jesus “begins” His public ministry. Like the President of the United State’ inaugural address; this lesson outlines the credentials and anticipated program for the coming years.

As the promised Messiah; Jesus identifies with the past. He identifies with all people from Adam to John, who need to be baptized for forgiveness. He claims a heritage with God’s covenant people Israel. Indeed, His is Israel rolled into one.

 As the promised Messiah; Jesus identifies with the present. Those living at His time. In the babe of Bethlehem God has sent His own Son. (Psalm 2:7) As the Messiah He is also the “chosen servant” foretold by Isaiah, with whom God is “well pleased,” that is, whom God has accepted by grace to be His sacrifice for sin. Jesus is baptized “to fulfill all righteousness,” for now. The fulfillment of God’s plan has begun, but Jesus’ mission moves from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

As the promised Messiah; Jesus mission points to the future. He has come primarily to suffer and die so that by repentance and forgiveness through His righteousness the Kingdom of God may come. In your baptism you participate in the death of Christ, (Romans 6) as you identify with the “New Israel” saved by baptismal grace.

As the coming Epiphany season stands between our celebration of Christ’s birth and His passion, we remember that He came to manifest God’s good favor (grace) by humbly offering Himself for the sins of the world.  

A Collect for the Baptism of our Lord: Father in heaven, at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan you proclaimed Him Your beloved Son and anointed Him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized into Christ faithful in their calling to be your children and inheritors with Him of everlasting life.[2]

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[1] Baptism of Jesus, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] Collect for the Baptism of our Lord, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

Tuesday prior to Epiphany 1 - The Baptism of our Lord

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Psalm 29 —The voice of God is the theme for Psalm 29 as seen in the thunderstorm - sometimes frightening, suggestive of terrifying cataclysms at the end of the world. In the torrent of rain, the ear-splitting thunderclaps, the blaze of lightning, and the roaring wind that sets the great forests in motion, the psalmist hears God’s voice. For God made and orders them all (verses 1-10). Let the hosts of heaven sing His glory (verses 1-2) – and may He bless His people on earth. (Verse 11) The style of this psalm is very similar to ancient Canaanite poetry. Sirion (verse 6): 9,000 ft. Mt. Hermon, on the Israel/Lebanon border .Kadesh (verse 8): a place in the desert south of Beersheba.

Psalm 29 – The Voice of the LORD in a storm

This wonderful song is simply titled A Psalm of David. In poetic beauty it describes the strength of a storm and understands it as the voice and power God. In so doing it repeats the name of the LORD eighteen times and uses the phrase “the voice of the LORD” seven times. This psalm has no other elements. It is pure praise. It does not call upon us to do anything because the psalm itself is doing the only thing it is concerned about. It is praising God.[2]

Collect for Psalm 29: Lord our king, your voice sounds over the waters as you reign above the flood. Help us, who are born again by water and the Holy Spirit, to praise your wonderful deeds in your holy temple; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen [3]

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[1] Baptism, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-29 

[3] Collect for Psalm 29, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

Monday prior to Epiphany 1 - The Baptism of our Lord

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 Psalm 2:7-11, 12c; antiphon, Isaiah 42:1a—In the Introit for Sunday, we pray, Behold My servant, whom I uphold, My chosen in whom My soul delights.  The Father accepts the Son at His baptism and so the work of Jesus’ active public ministry has begun. From this Sunday through Easter we will witness those active acts the Savior did to win for you salvation. The psalmist and the prophet Isaiah rejoice for that day. We join them with our prayers and praises.

Psalm 2 – The Reign of the LORD’s anointed

Like many psalms, the theme of Psalm 2 is emphasized in the final verse. We can defy God and perish, or we can surrender to Him and be blessed. The psalm itself does not identify its author, but Acts 4:25-26 clearly attributes it to David.[2]

God Accepts You

The theme of acceptance harmonizes with baptism. At this time God accepts the repentant sinner, washes away the dirt of sin in the waters of baptism, and adopts the believer as His child, making him His Servant and delights in him. God finds those who fear Him to be acceptable to Him (Epistle Lesson Acts 10:34-43). At Jesus’ baptism, we hear God’s voice, “This is my beloved Son.” The Epistle Lesson closes by assuring those with faith that for Jesus’ sake their sins are forgiven. By faith we accept God’s acceptance of us.

The Spirit is prominent in the three lessons. Some erroneously refer to a water and a Spirit baptism as though there were two baptisms. Christian baptism is both at the same time and consequently there is, as Paul says, one baptism. The Prayer refers to Jesus’ being anointed with the Spirit. In Psalm 29 we hear God’s voice “upon the waters.” Luther’s Hymn of the Day tells the story of Jesus’ baptism. 

Collect for Psalm 2: Lord God, you give the people of the world to be the inheritance of your Son; you crowned him as king of Zion, your holy city, and gave him your church as his bride. As he proclaims the way of your eternal kingdom, may we serve him faithfully, and so know the royal power of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. [3]

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[1] Baptism, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-2/

[3] Collect for Psalm 2, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD study notes

First Sunday after the Epiphany 

Isaiah 42:1–9
Romans 6:1–11
Matthew 3:13–17

 The Holy Triune God Is Manifested and Reveals Himself to Us in Holy Baptism

 Collects for the Baptism of our Lord: Father in heaven, at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan you proclaimed Him Your beloved Son and anointed Him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized into Christ faithful in their calling to be your children and inheritors with Him of everlasting life.

Almighty, eternal God, when the Spirit descended upon Jesus at His baptism in the Jordan, You revealed Him as Your own beloved Son. Keep us, Your children born of water and the Spirit, faithful to our calling. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever.

The Baptism of our Lord is an “epiphany” of the one true God in the flesh and blood of Jesus. He is the chosen servant of the Lord, anointed with the Spirit for the rescue of God’s people and to “bring forth justice to the nations” (Isaiah 42:1). 

Thus, He makes all things new, and He is given “as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations” (Isaiah 42:6). 

In the waters of the Jordan, He takes His place with sinners and takes all the sins of the world upon Himself. He undergoes the Baptism of repentance in order to “fulfill all righteousness” for us (Matthew 3:15). 

He submits Himself to the curse of sin and death in order to redeem us. We are baptized with a Baptism like His, thereby dying and rising with Him, so that “we will also live with him” (Romans 6:8). 

Indeed, all of us who are baptized into Christ Jesus are anointed with His Spirit and named by His Father as beloved and well-pleasing sons and daughters.

The message of Jesus and John is the same. "Repent for the kingdom is here..." "Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sin."  Repent, be baptized "and you will receive the gift of the Spirit."

God accepts Jesus as His Son at His baptism. The Epiphany season deals with the manifestation of God’s glory in Jesus. At Jesus’ baptism, God is glorified in Jesus by the voice of God declaring Jesus as his Son, and by the appearance of the dove, indicating the gift of the Spirit. Jesus received the Spirit and was declared by God to be his Son. Matthew’s account of Jesus’ baptism differs in two ways from the other Synoptic accounts. Matthew tells of John’s reluctance to baptize Jesus who insists upon it in order that he might fulfill righteousness and identify with all who need repentance. The big question is, if Jesus were sinless why would he want John’s baptism of repentance? The other difference is that God’s voice of acceptance and approval of Jesus is addressed to the spectators: “This is my beloved Son.” Mark and Luke make it a personal experience: “Thou art my beloved Son.”

Matthew 3:13–17

The Baptism of Jesus

Matthew 3:13

Τότε παραγίνεται ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἀπὸ τῆς Γαλιλαίας ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰορδάνην πρὸς τὸν Ἰωάννην τοῦ βαπτισθῆναι ὑπ’ αὐτοῦ. 

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 

Why the Jordan?

- Jordan where sin/death are left behind

- Israel crossed over forgetting sin and receiving life.

-Matthew 3:14 

ὁ δὲ ωάννης διεκώλυεν αὐτὸν λέγων· Ἐγὼ χρείαν ἔχω ὑπὸ σοῦ βαπτισθῆναι, καὶ σὺ ἔρχῃ πρός με;

John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 

Jesus becomes the serpent who is lifted up for life. Jesus refers himself to the serpent nailed for life.

John knows who Jesus is. It makes no sense. 

Matthew 3:15

ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτόν· Ἄφες ἄρτι, οὕτως γὰρ πρέπον ἐστὶν ἡμῖν πληρῶσαι πᾶσαν δικαιοσύνην. τότε ἀφίησιν αὐτόν.

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

"Permit it" Ἄφες ἄρτι, οὕτως is same word for forgiveness "let it be"

Look at the pronouns Jesus says "us" all together. As with John he uses you, me.

These are Jesus' first words in Matthew's gospel, "let it be so." 

Matthew 3:16

βαπτισθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς [d]εὐθὺς ἀνέβη ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕδατος· καὶ ἰδοὺ [e]ἠνεῴχθησαν οἱ οὐρανοί, καὶ εἶδεν [f]πνεῦμα θεοῦ καταβαῖνον ὡσεὶ [g]περιστερὰν ἐρχόμενον ἐπ’ αὐτόν·

And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him,[a] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;

Matthew 3:17

καὶ ἰδοὺ φωνὴ ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν λέγουσα· Οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ υἱός μου ὁ ἀγαπητός, ἐν ᾧ εὐδόκησα.

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

- Heavens are open

-Spirit descents came down as a dove

Genesis 8:6-12, The end of wrath the dove is a preacher of peace.

ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software

Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

The Baptism of Jesus copyright Ed Rijos, Higher Things

LCMS Lectionary Summary © 2016

Lutheran Service Book © 2008 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Saturday prior to Christmas 2

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Luke 2:41-52 - The Hymn of the Day is Within the Father’s House (Lutheran Service Book #410)It recounts the Gospel reading of the Boy Jesus in the temple, and then offers up a prayer in stanzas 5 and 6 that we, by grace, might grasp and hold to the mysteries of the Incarnation and the Holy Trinity till they are at last made fully known to us on that great day when our Lord returns in majesty and glory.

5 Lord, visit Thou our souls
And teach us by Thy grace
Each dim revealing of Thyself
With loving awe to trace
 

6 Till we behold Thy face
And know as we are known
Thee, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Coequal Three in One.

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[1] Jesus in the Temple Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, copyright © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational us

 

Friday prior to Christmas 2

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Luke 2:40–52—The Jewish rabbis were astounded by the teaching of this young Boy. How could such a One expound the Scriptures as He did? The antiphon from the Introit proclaims it well: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The Word made flesh expounded the written Word to these great teachers. We have not only the written Word (Old Testament) that they had, but we also have the benefit of the Holy Gospels, the record of the words and the deeds of the Incarnate Word.

Let us never take God’s Word for granted, but diligently ‘read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest’ it, so that ‘by patience and comfort of [God’s] holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life.

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[1] Jesus in the Temple Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, copyright © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational us