"Now in those days John the Baptist *[a]came, [b]preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven [c]is at hand.” 3 For this is the one referred to [d]by Isaiah the prophet when he said,
“The voice of one [e]crying in the wilderness,
‘Make ready the way of the Lord,
Make His paths straight!’”
4 Now John himself had [f]a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan; 6 and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins."
Matthew 3:1-6
Concept of baptism was already present in the Jewish faith before John the Baptist came along.
God's people hadn't heard from God for 400 years.
“As for me, I baptize you [a]with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you [b]with the Holy Spirit and fire." Matthew 3:11
Someone coming greater than I!
"Then Jesus *arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him." Mathew 3:13
Galilee was 75 miles from the Jordan river. Jesus walked those 75 miles. This was a dangerous journey. He very likely did this alone. He made this journey specifically to get baptised by John. He went with intention.
"But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
Matthew 3:14
Why did Jesus want to be baptised with the baptism of repentance?
"But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he *permitted Him." Matthew 3:15
He's leading by example. Humility involved. Obedience involved.
"After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and [a]he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and [b]lighting on Him, 17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is [c]My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17
There is unity there. It all came together. Beginning of Jesus's ministry. Starts with a bang.
Significance of water:
Red Sea
Noah's Flood
Water is new life
"Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life." Romans 6:3-4
There's no resurrection without death. There's no salvation without resurrection.
"having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead." Colossians 2:12
I know who I am. I know who He is. I know I can't do this on my own.
Hold me accountable (this is what baptism does).
What are you waiting for?
Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’" Acts 22:16
Baptism unifies.
It doesn't matter where you came from.
“The voice of one [e]crying in the wilderness,
‘Make ready the way of the Lord,
Make His paths straight!’”
4 Now John himself had [f]a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan; 6 and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins."
Matthew 3:1-6
Concept of baptism was already present in the Jewish faith before John the Baptist came along.
God's people hadn't heard from God for 400 years.
“As for me, I baptize you [a]with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you [b]with the Holy Spirit and fire." Matthew 3:11
Someone coming greater than I!
"Then Jesus *arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him." Mathew 3:13
Galilee was 75 miles from the Jordan river. Jesus walked those 75 miles. This was a dangerous journey. He very likely did this alone. He made this journey specifically to get baptised by John. He went with intention.
"But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
Matthew 3:14
Why did Jesus want to be baptised with the baptism of repentance?
"But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he *permitted Him." Matthew 3:15
He's leading by example. Humility involved. Obedience involved.
"After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and [a]he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and [b]lighting on Him, 17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is [c]My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17
There is unity there. It all came together. Beginning of Jesus's ministry. Starts with a bang.
Significance of water:
Red Sea
Noah's Flood
Water is new life
"Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life." Romans 6:3-4
There's no resurrection without death. There's no salvation without resurrection.
"having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead." Colossians 2:12
I know who I am. I know who He is. I know I can't do this on my own.
Hold me accountable (this is what baptism does).
What are you waiting for?
Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’" Acts 22:16
Baptism unifies.
It doesn't matter where you came from.
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