We are continuing in the sermon series Gospel Highlighter and discussing the account of Jesus' Baptism. Throughout the Gospels, the story of Jesus is told from different perspectives. While different aspects and details are described in some of the stories, there is not a single contradiction throughout ANY of the Gospels (let alone the whole Bible).
Different Gospel Accounts, One Unified Message
- Matthew (tax collector, disciple) - Jesus as the Messiah
- Mark (John Mark, Paul’s companion)- Presents person, work, and teachings of Jesus
- Luke (doctor, Paul’s close friend/companion)- Jesus as perfect human and Savior
- John (disciple, brother of James, one of “sons of thunder”)- Jesus as Son of God
Last week Yale discussed John the Baptist in-depth. Yale highlighted how John prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry and how John’s efforts were all pointing to Jesus.
Practical overview of the story and reviewing differences between accounts
- Matthew, Mark, and Luke are essentially identical accounts of these events. Specifically Mark and Luke have the exact same elements
- Matthew, Mark, and Luke all describe in VERY consistent detail the events that happened following Jesus’ baptism.
Mark 1:10-11 “10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
- These events are interesting in that we see all 3 persons of God present at the same time: God the Father speaking, God the Spirit descending as a dove, and God the Son being baptized.
- John’s gospel account takes a bit of a different approach.
- John (the disciple) describes Jesus’ baptism as a testimony from John (the Baptist).
John 1:32-34 “Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”
- This testimony, as is consistent with the rest of John’s gospel, proves that Jesus is God’s Chosen One, the Messiah, Savior, and Son of God.
What messages are we to take from the account of Jesus’ Baptism?
- Jesus sets the example, in both humility and obedience, by allowing himself to be baptized by John.
- Because of what Jesus did on that day, we should choose to get baptized as well and strive to live humble and obedient lives.
Through His Baptism, Jesus shows humility
- The humility that Jesus shows through His baptism is a testament to the humility that we need to strive for as His followers. As Christians, we need to continually humble ourselves before the Lord. This starts with baptism and gets expanded upon as we live out our lives.
- For the sake of the kingdom, we need to work together with other believers in humility.
- What are the things that unite us as believers?
- Belief in the Gospel
- Understanding salvation
- Set our hearts/minds on eternity
- Matthew shows John the Baptist as questioning Jesus and why he needs baptized in addition to the other elements of Jesus’ baptism.
Matthew 3:13-15 “13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.”
- Jesus could have used this as a moment to demonstrate his power or his authority. Instead, he submits to the Father, showing both humility and obedience. Demonstrating his humility, he chooses to be baptized by an imperfect man.
Through His Baptism, Jesus shows obedience
- In this passage and throughout all of scripture, Jesus demonstrates obedience to the will of God the Father.
- This is why we get baptized after salvation: to show our obedience to God.
- If you haven’t been baptized, I encourage you to consider it.
What does obedience to God look like?
- Getting baptized
- Doing what He says when He says it.
