Posted on: February 1, 2019

Baptism of Jesus - JESUS WAS BAPTISED TOO Luk.15:

BAPTISM – Jesus Was Baptized Too Luk. 3:15-22

Although John didn’t care what people thought of him and he seems to have never been at a loss for words there was one time in John’s ministry when he almost came unglued. Jesus, the Lamb of God himself, came to John to be baptized. We are told in Matthew’s gospel that John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” (Matthew 3:14) From what John knew about Jesus, baptism didn’t seem to fit him. Jesus was the sinless Son of God. Baptism was for sinners. John also knew that he himself was a sinner in need of God’s love and forgiveness. What right did he have to baptize Jesus? It made much more sense for Jesus to baptize John instead of the other way around.

John the Baptist’s statement about his own need for baptism and his question about Jesus’ need for baptism are two thoughts that would be appropriate for us to consider this morning. On this “Baptism of Jesus” Sunday we might very well ask what John asked. Why did Jesus need to be baptized? Like John it is also good for us to see our need for baptism by Jesus.

The Word of God that will lead us to a better understanding of both points is our gospel lesson from Luke 3:15-17, 21 & 22. Let’s use the amazing truth expressed by Luke in verse 21 for the theme of our sermon. Luke says that:

“JESUS WAS BAPTIZED TOO”

I. He was baptized like a sinner to serve as their Savior

II. He provides a baptism for sinners in order to save them

Stories often “flash ahead” in time. Perhaps you have seen a movie that began with a powerful scene of some kind. Then in the very next frame of film you read a subtitle that said, “30 years later.” If we were watching the life of Jesus played for us like a movie our gospel lesson for this morning would be just such a jump ahead in time. Two weeks ago we celebrated Jesus’ birth. Today we hear about him when he is around age 30. Other than one report about something that happened in Jesus’ life when he was twelve years old we simply are not told what happened from his birth to the time of his baptism.

Our gospel lesson for this morning takes us to that turning point in the written history of Jesus’ life. “When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’” Jesus was baptized too. That statement brings us back to the question John the Baptist expressed. Why did Jesus need to be baptized? It also leads us to see our unworthiness and our need for a baptism provided by Jesus.

I.

As Lutheran Christians we answer any question that we have about one part of the Bible by looking at the rest of the Bible for answers. Why was Jesus baptized? The logical answer would be that he needed it. He was in need of forgiveness. But does that answer fit with the rest of Scripture? No. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Jesus was “tempted in every way, just as we are yet was without sin.” 1 John 3:5 says of Jesus, “But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin.” 1 Peter 1:19 tells us that Jesus is the lamb of God (the sacrifice for sin) “without blemish or defect.” So if Jesus wasn’t a sinner and didn’t need baptism them why was he baptized? If you looked in a mirror this morning you saw the reason. As you look at me and I look at you we see why Jesus was baptized. It was to join us in our sinful, helpless, pitiful condition.

Jesus’ baptism with sinners marked him as the substitute for sinners. By being baptized like a sinner Jesus showed his willingness to become our Savior. 2 Corinthians 5:21 explains the reason for Jesus’ baptism in this way, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” The great exchange where God swaps the holiness of his Son for the sinfulness of our fallen race is pictured at Jesus’ baptism. He was baptized like a sinner to serve as their Savior.

“Jesus was baptized too.” That short phrase penned by Luke says so much. At the Jordan River two thousand years ago the Son of God received the same baptism as the prostitutes and tax collectors. The same water that was used to baptize those separated from God because of their sins was used to baptize the one who brought sinners back to God. The baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins that soldiers and farmers, husbands and wives, young and old received was also given to Jesus.

And although we are living many years after John did his baptizing we can see ourselves in the crowd that came out to him. Like them we have broken God’s Commandments. Like the soldiers who came to John we have not always been content with what we receive in life. We have grumbled about our job and complained about our pay. The cheating done by the tax collectors has been reproduced in us through similar actions. Anytime we receive pay for less than our best we are guilty of cheating another. We too have been like the prostitutes who came to John the Baptist by our sexual sins through our thoughts, words, and actions. We have even harbored the pride and arrogance of the Pharisees who rejected John’s baptism. Yes, friends in Christ, we too stand at the Jordan River with the stream of sinners called humanity.

Thankfully Jesus stepped into that stream. He was baptized like a sinner to serve as their Savior. When Jesus was baptized like a sinner it marked the beginning of his public work as Savior. Although Jesus began living as our substitute when he was conceived in the virgin Mary he didn’t present himself as the sacrifice for sin until he was in his thirties. And it was at his baptism that he openly showed his willingness to go to the cross. So we can understand what happened after he was baptized. Luke wrote, “And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’” The Holy Spirit confirmed that although Jesus was baptized like a sinner he was their Savior. God the Father declared to all the sinners who were baptized with Jesus that he would accept his sinless Son as their substitute. And for us these verses still confirm our faith in the work of Jesus.

“Jesus was baptized too.” We can’t let that amazing fact pass quickly out of our minds. Jesus was baptized like a sinner to serve as their Savior. He didn’t need baptism. Scripture clearly teaches that Jesus was sinless. No, Jesus was baptized like a sinner to be the substitute for sinners. In fact he was made sin for us. He united himself with us who need baptism to serve as our Savior.

II.

Understanding that Jesus was baptized like a sinner to serve as Savior helps us understand John’s words about the baptism for sinners that Jesus provides. Let’s listen again to Luke’s report about what John said concerning Jesus. “The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Not one to soften his words John confidently declared that he was not the Christ. He also did his job of directing people to Jesus by telling them that Jesus was going to provide a baptism for sinners.

These verses have led some people to question John’s baptism. Was it only a symbolic action? Did it have any power? Did it give the forgiveness of sins to those who were baptized? Once again we must use all of God’s Word to help us understand this part of God’s Word.

In three places in the Bible we are told that John’s baptism did give the forgiveness of sins. Mark 1:4 tells us, “And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Luke 3:3 declares, “He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” The Apostle Paul said in Acts 19:4, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance.”

So if John’s baptism gave the forgiveness of sins why did he downplay its importance in comparison to the baptism Jesus was going to provide for sinners? We must remember that John had one purpose in life. He was born to be a human flashlight shining on Jesus and directing people to him. He knew that Jesus would provide a baptism for sinners with additional blessings and greater significance.

Here we see the second truth behind the fact that Jesus was baptized. Joining sinners in baptism gave Jesus the opportunity to provide a baptism for sinners. Galatians 3:26 27 tells us how the one who was baptized with us has joined us to him through the baptism he has given. “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

What additional blessings did John say Jesus would give through his baptism? After his suffering and death for sinners, and after his victory over death, he would baptize his believers with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would equip the followers of Jesus for service. Fifty days after the first Easter, on the Sunday called Pentecost, John’s words about the baptism Jesus would provide for sinners came true. On that day Peter told the crowd, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38) “Jesus was baptized too.” There are some deep truths in those four words! When Jesus joined himself to sinners in that way he opened the way to provide a baptism for sinners that would give them the Holy Spirit.

Fellow sinners, who have been baptized. The baptism that Jesus provided for us has given us the Holy Spirit. Perhaps we have forgotten what that means. Having the Holy Spirit dwelling in us enables and empowers us to live a new life for our Savior. Through baptism we have the “fruit of the Spirit” which is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.” (Galatians 5:22 23) Since Jesus was baptized like a sinner he can now provide sinners with a baptism.

John said that Jesus would not only baptize us with the Holy Spirit but he would also baptize us with fire. What does that mean? Throughout the Old Testament fire was a symbol of purifying and cleansing. The baptism that Jesus provides for sinners brings fire into their hearts to purify them from their sins. Like the mythical phoenix we rise from fires of baptism as a new person. In chapter six of his letter to the Romans the Apostle Paul wrote, “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:3 4) The fire of Jesus’ baptism has burned up the old sinful nature with which you were born. You are free to live a new life for him.

Continuing on with the idea of fire John also said of Jesus, “His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” John looked right past Jesus’ baptism. He looked past his miracles, and his preaching and teaching and even his suffering, death, and resurrection. John looked at the rest of history as the time when Jesus would gather believers. He also looked ahead to the Last Day when Jesus will judge the living and the dead. The harvest of souls still continues as his followers obey his great commission to, “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19) The baptism Jesus provided for sinners is still bringing sinners to God.

“Jesus was baptized too.” That sentence reminds us that Jesus became our substitute. It also explains how he was able to provide a baptism for sinners. Through his work as Savior he opened the way for the living water of Holy Spirit to flow to us.

We can understand John’s confusion when Jesus came to receive baptism. John said, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” John saw his own need for baptism but certainly didn’t understand why Jesus needed it. Do you remember how Jesus answered John’s concerns? He replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” (Matthew 3:15) Then John consented and Jesus was baptized too. He was baptized like a sinner to serve as Savior. He provided a baptism for sinners to save them. On this Sunday when we recall Jesus’ baptism let’s see him as our Savior who became sin for us. Then let’s put our faith in him and in the baptism he provides. Amen.

Posted on: February 1, 2019

Second Sunday in OT - WHAT MATTERS MOST TO JESUS John 2:1-12

SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C – What Matters Most to Jesus Jon.2:1-12 

Summary: a sermon about decision-making. Often times, in the “grey areas”, we simply need to decide what things in life are most important to God. We need to straighten out our priorities.
I want clear instructions. Here are some examples of instructions that, for one reason or another, weren’t made very clearly:

There are essentials in life that are pretty clear cut:
Stay out of the lion’s cage; Do not jump from the bridge; Keep hands and feet inside of car until the ride stops; don’t run with scissors, and we don’t question the rightness of those things.

There are also biblical essentials that are pretty clear cut:
Take care of widows and orphans; don’t take the Lord’s name in vain; Be generous; Love one another; Keep yourselves from idols; Don’t cause others to stumble. No questioning the rightness of those things. 

The Bible is actually very clear on essentials. It’s Black and White. But we have to be honest and admit that life has “gray areas” where there’s no direct Bible example, no "Thus saith the Lord." What do we do then? How do we decide what to do when there just doesn’t seem to be a clear answer? Often times, in the “gray areas”, we simply need to decide what things in life are most important to God. We need to straighten out our priorities.

We need this in our everyday decision making and thought processes. What does God want our priorities to be? If we’d just stop and ask that question, we’d make a lot wiser decisions more quickly. We’d be confident that our actions are pleasing to God.

The story we read today helps us to see that in the life of Jesus. I think we’ll see that Jesus gives some attention to everyday problems, but Jesus’ greater concern addresses life’s more important issues.

I. Jesus cares about our everyday problems

Everyone has them. So does every wedding. If I were to ask the congregation this morning, I’ll bet we could hear what went wrong at a lot more weddings.

You’re the groom. It’s your wedding feast! For years you’ve looked forward to the 7 days when you’d finally have the big feast and your wedding day. The whole little community of Cana knows about the feast, and you have plenty of guests; even Jesus and His disciples and His mother. But, doesn’t something always go wrong at a wedding? You thought you had bought enough wine, but Frank the Wedding Coordinator was filling the glasses too full. You’d told him! A lot of the guests have already had enough to drink, but now the wine bowl is empty, and you’re going to be the talk of the town -- for months! Everyone will remember this wedding. It will be one for “Palestine’s Funniest Videos” – the one where one of the most basic details wasn’t covered.

This was a social problem. It wasn’t life-threatening, and except for some hurt feelings, it really wasn’t going to hurt anybody. In the big picture, it was a small, everyday type of problem. Don’t sweat the small stuff, right? But isn’t it the small stuff that causes 90% of our sweat in life?

Mary sees the problem. She’s been to some wedding feasts. She understands this is a problem. So, she approaches Jesus. "Son, they’ve run out of wine." Jesus seems indifferent at first: "Why make it our concern?" And with a small rebuke, Jesus reminds His mother that He’s living by a heavenly agenda. The time to announce His position as Messiah hasn’t arrived…yet. Imagine, Mary, who 30 years before gave birth to what was viewed as a child out of wedlock, who’d stored up the memories of the miracles that surrounded Jesus’ birth. At last she could be vindicated. At last, her servanthood could be proven. But Jesus doesn’t accept that an earthly dilemma is going to set His agenda. It’s not time for that. There’s some other reason for this miracle. Start by looking at v11 – the result is that His glory is seen and that His disciples believe in Him. We’ll look at that more in a minute.

Does He care about the wedding feast? Apparently so. In the first of His recorded miracles Jesus creates somewhere around 140 gallons of excellent wine out of only water. The feast is saved! Jesus showed that He cared about a relatively little problem.

How often do we fail to remember that Jesus is concerned with our little problems? Why do we fail to take them to Him? After all, it’s often a lot of little problems at once that get us down. In His ministry, Jesus dealt with little problems: feeding a crowd; getting a place to celebrate the Passover; how to pay the temple tax; who would take care of His mother after His ascension. He showed a sensitivity for the little things that sometimes seem big. It reminds me of an ad I saw for a certain repair shop: "No Job Too Big or Too Small."

We ought to take the little things to Jesus as well. The little thank-you’s and the little cries for help. Jesus cares about those things. He demonstrated that in a lot of ways.

Jesus cares about our little everyday concerns, but...

II. Jesus’ Greater Concern Addresses Life’s Most Important Issues

We could conclude from reading just this story that Jesus was a nice man who cared about and helped people with their everyday problems. Who wouldn’t like someone like that? But was Jesus just a problem solver? Dr. Phil of the wedding feast world?

John 2:11 tells us that this the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him. Jesus had a purpose behind this miracle, and John helps us see it when he concludes this story:

1) Revealed His glory,

John doesn’t use the word "miracle," he uses "sign" which is a  miracle with a purpose of proving His deity and authority. It points to Jesus, not the work itself. This was the first sign that Jesus performed. The glory of wine wasn’t revealed; the glory of Jesus was.
Jesus didn’t come to just take away our little problems. HE INTENDED TO REVEAL HIS GLORY.

Let’s look at the 2nd outcome of this miracle in Cana…

2) Evoked His disciples’ belief

The ultimate reason for His miracles was to cause men to believe in Him. Eventually, the wedding feast was over; that wine ran out again or was wasted. Eventually, Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead, died again. After some years, the lame He healed probably began to cripple with old age, the blind He healed probably had failing eyesight; the multitude He fed was hungry after just a day. There was more to His miracles than just helping us for the moment.

Jesus’ priority was the healing of our worst sickness, the correction of our biggest problem. These things are written that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing we might have life in His name.