SermonIndex Audio Sermons
SermonIndex - Promoting Revival to this Generation
Give To SermonIndex
Discussion Forum : Devotional Thoughts : Jesus humbly submitted to baptism by John by Don Schwager

Print Thread (PDF)

PosterThread
sermonindex
Moderator



Joined: 2002/12/11
Posts: 39795
Canada

Online!
 Jesus humbly submitted to baptism by John by Don Schwager

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17 (alternate reading: Mark 1:14-20)

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15 But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness." Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; 17 and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

Meditation:Why did Jesus, the Sinless One, submit himself to John's baptism at the River Jordan? John preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 3:3). In this humble submission of Jesus we see a foreshadowing of the "baptism" of his bloody death upon the cross. Jesus' baptism is the acceptance and the beginning of his mission as God's suffering Servant (Isaiah 42:1-4). He allowed himself to be numbered among sinners. Jesus submitted himself entirely to his Father's will. Out of love he consented to this baptism of death for the remission of our sins. Do you know the joy of trust and submission to God? .
Jesus' baptism - beginning of a new creation
The Father proclaimed his entire delight in his Son and spoke audibly for all to hear. The Holy Spirit, too, was present as he anointed Jesus for his ministry which began that day as he rose from the waters of the Jordan river. Jesus will be the source of the Spirit for all who come to believe in him. At his baptism the heavens were opened and the waters were sanctified by the descent of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, signifying the beginning of a new creation.
Heaven will open for those who bow before the Lord
How can we enter into the mystery of Jesus' humble self-abasement and baptism? Gregory of Nazianzus (329-389 AD), an early church father tells us:
"Let us be buried with Christ by Baptism to rise with him; let us go down with him to be raised with him; and let us rise with him to be glorified with him."
Do you want to see your life transformed in the likeness of Christ? And do you want to become a more effective instrument of the Gospel? Examine Jesus' humility and ask the Holy Spirit to forge this same attitude in your heart. As you do, heaven will open for you as well.
The Holy Spirit transforms us in the likeness of Jesus
The Lord Jesus is ever ready to renew and refashion us in his likeness through the gift and working of the Holy Spirit - and he anoints us for mission as ambassadors of his kingdom of righteousness (moral goodness), peace, and joy (Romans 14:17). We are called to be the "light" and salt" of his kingdom that radiate the beauty and aroma of his mercy and goodness to those around us (Matthew 5:13,15-16). The Lord Jesus wants his love and truth to shine through us that many others may may find new life, freedom, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Ask the Lord Jesus to fill you with his Holy Spirit that you may radiate the joy of the Gospel to those around you.

"Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and with the fire of your love and goodness. May I always find joy and delight in seeking to please you in doing your will just as you have delighted in the joy of pleasing your Father and doing his will."

Psalm 29:1-3, 9-10

1 Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of God, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name; worship the LORD in holy attire.
3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, upon many waters.
9 The voice of the LORD makes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forests bare; and in his temple all cry, "Glory!"
10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king for ever.
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Jesus came to be baptized by John, by Chromatius (died 406 AD)

"John's baptism was looking toward repentance. Its purpose was to bring hearers to the point of experiencing conviction for their offenses. John, however, did not want anyone to draw the conclusion that Jesus himself also came to the Jordan to repent of his sins. So he sets this point straight from the outset by calling him both Lamb and Redeemer of all the sin that is in the world. He who is able to take away the sins of the whole world was himself without sin.
"Jesus therefore descended to fulfill all the observances of the law, and in this context he was baptized by John in Galilee at the Jordan. But John, recognizing the Lord as his God through the Holy Spirit, declared that he was unworthy to bear his sandals. He excused himself from doing what he was directed to do, because he could not conceive that baptism was necessary for the One whom he knew had come to blot out the sins of the world. He rather pleaded that he himself ought to be baptized by Christ, saying, 'It is I who should be baptized by you, and do you come to me?' It is as if he were saying, 'I am a man. You are God. I am a sinner because I am a man. You are sinless because you are God. Why do you want to be baptized by me? I do not refuse the respect you pay me, but I am ignorant of the mystery. I baptize sinners in repentance. But you have no taint of sin. So why do you want to be baptized? Why do you want to be baptized as a sinner, who came to forgive sins?' This is what John in effect was saying to the Lord." (excerpt from TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 12:1)

[Note: Chromatius was an early Christian scholar and bishop of Aquileia, Italy. He was a close friend of John Chrysostom and Jerome. He died in 406 AD. Jerome described him as a "most learned and most holy man."]


_________________
SI Moderator - Greg Gordon

 2017/1/9 16:35Profile
staff
Member



Joined: 2007/2/8
Posts: 2227


 Re: Jesus humbly submitted to baptism by John by Don Schwager

Hi all,
I want to comment on this because years ago I got an insight on this scripture.Jesus the most humble man that ever existed or ever will,I think no one can disagree even perhaps unbelievers!
However this scripture is not really commenting on his humility as is thought when you read over it.We really as I did miss why Jesus was being baptized as in part I respectfully think Don Schwager did.
The reason is very simple Jesus said he was "fullfilling all that was right" or all righteousness.
How did he do this is the question?
By coming under the ministry of Elijah in the form of John The Baptist.Jesus knew he had to fulfill prophecy.
Hold on you say .....What prophesy?
The prophesy on Mount Carmel
I didnt see any prophesy on Mount Carmel you say...
Jesus knew that the ministry of Elijah in the form of John had to immerse the sacrifice with water as Elijah did with the sacrifice on Mount Carmel off the beast of burden a bullock.
Jesus knew his prophetic typology perfectly
Elijah would come and prepare the sacrifice by immersing the sacrifice with water.John The Baptist just hadnt got a full understanding of his role and why Jesus had to be baptised this is why he was reluctant to Baptise him.
We see that lack of understanding as well when John The Baptist is in Jail:Are you Christ or should we look for another?
John didnt understand why a sinless person needed to be Baptised and thought it was a wrong thing to do until Jesus told him he was fulfilling something.
One final point that clinches it I think the scripture says that it is fitting .....for ...US....to fullfill righteousness. I am highlighting the US, its both John and Jesus.If this paragraph is just highlighting Jesus humility he would not have said "Us" he would have said "that I"
Jesus knew that John and himself were role playing, the rehearsal was Elijah and the Sacrifice.
So yes of course Jesus was being Humble but no his humility is not at the main point of the passage.The main point of the passage is that Jesus Knew he had to fullfill Prophesy
Yours Staff

 2017/1/9 20:50Profile
StirItUp
Member



Joined: 2016/6/4
Posts: 949
Johannesburg, South Africa

 Re:

Good point Staff. Never thought about it much, but it does make sense.

Blessings


_________________
William

 2017/1/9 23:09Profile





©2002-2024 SermonIndex.net
Promoting Revival to this Generation.
Privacy Policy