Matthew 3:13-14…Ready

Matthew 3:13-14…Ready

Then (Expresses purpose and determination) Jesus (about 30 years of age) came from Galilee (Nazareth) to the Jordan to be baptised by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, (Was no casual hesitation, but a strenuous & earnest protest as ln “no way” or “Don’t even think about”.) saying, “I need to be baptised (Saved, redeemed) by you, and do you come to me?”

Continued From Book

“Displays Jesus’ willingness in identifying & standing in the place of sinners. Jesus came to a place where He did not belong so we could go to a place where we could belong.”

“Teaches how baptism is a decision we have to make on our own. Our parents can’t make it for us. Our spouse can’t make it for us. Our church can’t make it for us. We have to make it ourselves.”

“Teaches the importance of submission. If our Lord was under no obligation to be baptized, yet He submitted will you do the same!”-(Phil. 2:5-8) ⇒ If Jesus thought baptism was the right thing to do, no believer should skip it, everyone should get baptised.

“Teaches if Jesus was willing to come down here and serve us, we must be willing to serve the needs of others.” ⇒ Jesus by being baptized shows what grace and compassion is like. Above all He shows us why He does this – out of love of humankind. Whatever opportunity comes up in your life, think about how that opportunity can result in the needs of those around you being met.

“Teaches how just like John the Baptist we can feel unworthy to serve the Lord “⇒ . We may feel that someone is more qualified at it than we are. But God is not looking for a person’s ability as much as He is looking for his or her availability. A as the slogan goes; “God doesn’t call the qualified, but qualifies the called.” Don’t let your feelings of inadequacy hold you back from your God-appointed mission. Rather than thinking I don’t have enough bible knowledge to be a minister, lead a bible study, or pastor a church. Will you trust that the Lord knows what your capable of, and will raise you up to do all that God has commissioned you? There are plenty of ministries to match your God-given talents and skills and God is a perfect matchmaker. He may use you to lead a Bible study or to sing with the worship team. Some people may be called to serve as greeters or hosts, while others may assist in preparing for special projects. Whatever your inclination or ability is, there is a ministry waiting for you— evangelism, global outreach, guest services, Life Groups, nursery/preschool, music and arts, sports outreach, pastoral care, media arts and support ministries, etc

“Teaches just as Jesus gives validation to John’s ministry, so too will the Lord confirm our ministry and work as well.” ⇒ Expect the Lord to show up and give His stamp of approval as we preach and proclaim the Gospel.

“Calls for recognizing Jesus’ divine power and authority. That He is above all and over all. He is the only One who is worthy of all honor, worship, and praise.”

“Warns how trying to deter or hinder Jesus from doing anything is going to be a lost cause and losing battle! Your intentions may be good, but don’t think that you know better than the Lord!”

“Teaches how just like John the Baptist we can miss the movement God is doing in our lives.”

“Even today, just like John the Baptist we can miss the movement of God in our lives. Thinking we know what is better or the right thing to do. Or we try to press upon God what is best or most appropriate.”

“This is not saying Jesus had sins to confess and repent of, for He was already sinless!-(2-Corn. 5:21, 1-Pet. 2:2, Heb. 7:26) But rather was baptized in obedience to all that God commands and requires. He is submitting to the will of the Father. He is embracing the mission of God on Earth. He did it for us.”

 Additional Notes & Applications

Teaches how our Lord’s baptism did not happen by accident. It was calculated and intentional. Verse 13 tells us that Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. This was no baptism taken on a mere whim. Jesus’ baptism was at least a five day trip one way from Galilee to the Jordan River, covering 75 miles. It would mean traveling alone through a hot barren desert, not to mention bandits, wild animals, scorpions, and snakes along the way. Which teaches an important lesson, that baptism is not a light matter but must be given great weight. If Jesus thought baptism was important that He was willing to give up a career as carpenter and travel a great distance. How much more important should it be for us as well.

Teaches how perfect love will embrace and do all things for the sake of others, even that which is not required. Will you take any humiliation necessary in order to help others, even if it means being marginalized, disliked, and misunderstood as a result.

Teaches as “great” as John the Baptist was in his day, even “being filled with the Spirit from birth” felt unworthy to baptize Jesus. How much more unworthy are we in ministering to Christ. (cf. Matt. 11:11, Luke 1:13-15, 1:41-44, Matt. 8:8)

Note: Jesus is not simply providing us an example to follow. He is not showing us how we need to go find a worthy cause and join it. Or the importance of solidarity with our neighbor. Jesus is actually doing something much more profound. At His baptism Jesus is entering as deeply as possible into this world of sin, death and the devil by taking sin literally on Himself. Jesus was not in the Jordan play acting. No, as our Savior Jesus needed to take our place if He was going to take our sins on Himself. He literally needed to become sin itself! (cf. Is. 53:6)

Note: There is some dispute as to how John came to know this righteousness of Christ, which prompted his protest. Though Matthew does not record it, in John’s Gospel quotes John the Baptist just prior to Jesus’ baptism as saying, “I did not recognize [Jesus], but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God”-(John 1:33-34). All indications are that the two already knew each other, what John meant was that though he knew Jesus personally, He did not know Him as the Messiah until after he witnessed the voice from heaven and the Spirit descend upon Jesus after His baptism. John certainly knew Jesus well enough that when Jesus arrived at the Jordan to be baptized, Certainly John’s mother Elizabeth had explained to him the events surrounding his own birth and that of Jesus (cf. Luke 1:39-45)—how Jesus’ birth was so much more marvelous than his. Also, John may well have known about the event recorded in Luke 2:41-52 about Jesus’ knowledge of Scripture at such a young age. Whatever it was, John knew that he was inferior to Jesus, and at this stage he still did not know Jesus was the Messiah.

Note: The Gospels tell us very little about the 30 years of Jesus’ life prior to His baptism. We do know of the flight and return of Jesus with His parents from Egypt as a young child.-(Matt. 2:13-14) And how Jesus grew up in a humble little village called Nazareth of Galilee,-(Matt. 2:19-23) And how the Gospel of Luke tells the story of when Jesus was twelve years of age his parents found Him in the Temple debating with the teachers of the law who were astonished at His wisdom and understanding.-(Luke 2:49) We also learn that Jesus had spent much of His time as a carpenter in the family business.-(Matt. 13:55) That He had brothers and sisters who He had grown up with him.-(Matt. 13:55-56) And how Jesus was John the Baptist’s cousin.-(Luke 1:36-38)

   REASONS JESUS WAS BAPTIZED..

• Jesus was identifying Himself with sinful mankind

• Jesus’ was undertaking His role as our Savoir & Redeemer

• Jesus was publicly announcing His arrival as the Messiah

• Jesus’ was confirming John’s ministry and message as true

• Jesus was relieving John’s doubts

• Jesus’ was submitting to all divinely appointed ordinances and institutions

• Jesus was symbolizing His future death, burial, and resurrection

• Jesus was fulfilling the legal requirements to enter the priesthood

• Jesus was setting an example for those who would follow Him

  (For more Applications get the Whole Book) 

  (All material is copyrighted and may be used for preaching, teaching, and instructing. And not for publication in any form without the written permission of the author.)