Baptism of Our Lord

 Sermon Text: Matthew 3:13-17

 Other Readings: Isaiah 42:1-7 and Acts 10:34-38

 

1. How did John react when Jesus came to be baptized?

 

2. What answer did Jesus give?

 

3. Read the First Lesson from Isaiah 42:1-7. In what ways does Jesus fulfill this prophecy?

 

4. What three persons were present at Jesus’ baptism?

 

5. The Trinity was involved at Jesus’ baptism. How was the Trinity involved at your baptism? What comfort does that give you?

 

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1. He refused because he knew that Jesus was not a sinner himself.

 

2. He insisted that John baptize him “to fulfill all righteousness” (v 15). Jesus is pointing out to John that, while he didn’t have any personal sin, he was carrying the sins of the world. He had come to be our perfect substitute. He needed the promises of God that baptism gives us.

 

3. Throughout his entire life and ministry Jesus was God the Father’s servant for sinners, and the Holy Spirit came upon him at his baptism. Jesus was quiet (v. 2), gentle (v. 3), faithful, and just (verses 3,4) in order to save all people, including being a “light for the Gentiles” (v. 6).

 

4. The three persons of the Holy Trinity (God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) were present at Jesus’ baptism. In the same way, the Holy Trinity was present at our baptisms, as we are baptized “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

 

5. God the Father adopted you as his own dear spiritual child. God the Son (Jesus) credited his righteousness, death, and resurrection to your account. The Holy Spirit used his power through the Word to create faith in your heart and give you the forgiveness of sins. This can comfort you because you know that just as God was pleased with his Son Jesus, your baptism guarantees that God is pleased with you because of what Jesus did for you.