Jesus Was Baptized By John
– Matthew Three
Matthew was inspired by God to skip about thirty years in the life
of Jesus between Matthew two and Matthew three. In Matthew three he introduced
us to John by simply saying, “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in
the wilderness of
God can always use fearless, dedicated men like John the Baptist.
His mission was that of being a forerunner for Jesus. This common man had an
uncommon influence for God's cause. In quiet solitude with God, this great man
prepared to be a true and faithful servant of God. Jesus would later say of
John, “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen
one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven
is greater than he.” (Matthew 11:11)
John was a public preacher and his message was a public
proclamation of the need for all men everywhere to repent. It is of interest
that John did much of his public preaching “in the wilderness of
John's message was simply, "Repent ye:
for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Repentance is
one of the most misunderstood words in the Bible. Some confuse repentance with
prayer or confessing sins. Repentance is not expressing regret for sin. It is a
change of heart or a change of mind that leads to a change in one's actions.
Matthew described John as “the voice of one crying in the wilderness.” This
was a fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 40:3. John's work was to prepare
the way for Christ. His dress and food was primitive. He was like Elijah, one
of the great Old Testament prophets. Many people came to John to confess their
sins and to be baptized by him.
The Pharisees and Sadducees came to check out John's baptism. He
knew their lack of conversion so he said, “O generation of vipers, who hath
warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet
for repentance.” (Matthew 3:7-8) He was not trying to be popular and he did not
just want these people to be religious. He wanted them to be righteous.
Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. John's baptism was a
baptism growing out of repentance and it was for the remission. But Jesus was
the sinless Son of God. (II Corinthians 5:21) He had no need of repentance and
forgiveness of sins. Jesus was baptized because that was the “proper way to
fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus wanted to be baptized because that was God's
will. He was willing to be baptized when he did not even need to be. The
Pharisees and Sadducees were unwilling to repent and be baptized for the
remission of sins when they very much needed to be!
At the baptism of Jesus it was verified from heaven that He is the
Son of God. “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the
water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven,
saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17)
John
prepared the way for Jesus – Matthew 3:1-6 John was called “The”
Baptist. Never was he called “A Baptist”. Saying John the Baptist identified
the fact that he baptized. John “The Barber” would identify a man as one who
cuts hair and saying John “The Baptist” identified him as one who baptized. He
was a special man with the special mission of being a forerunner for Jesus.
Both the man and his message were unique: (1) The Man – “Now John himself was
clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was
locusts and wild honey.” (Matthew 3:4) and, (2) The Message – “Repent, for the
kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2) Even today (especially today)
people still need to hear preaching about “Repentance” and the “
John
preached a message of repentance – Matthew 3:7-10: There were those
that John refused to baptize because they showed no repentance. (Matthew 3:7-8)
He called these people a generation of vipers because of their hypocrisy and
malice. They, like their parents, were children of the evil one. John felt that
if these people had truly repented that there would be works that would show
the genuineness of their repentance.
John anticipated or possibly had already heard them say that they
were Abraham's seed. Just because they were Abraham's seed did not mean that
they were not responsible for their actions. Repentance was still their urgent
need!
John
preached one mightier than himself – Matthew 3:11-12: John was born
about six months before Jesus, and began his ministry before Jesus did His.
John wanted it clearly understood that though Jesus’ ministry started after his
that Jesus is the mightier. When John spoke of Jesus he said, “Someone more
powerful is going to come, and I am not good enough even to carry his sandals.”
What colorful symbols were used to show the Jews the urgency of
their repentance to prepare for Jesus, (a) an ax laid to the root of the tree,
(b) a baptism of fire, and (c) a winnowing fan? John promised God's wrath on
those who would not repent. The ax was an ax of God's judgment and vengeance.
The baptism of fire is that of tribulations and afflictions. Those that will not repent will be separated
with God's winnowing fan to face certain destruction.
John
baptized Jesus to fulfill righteousness – Matthew 3:13-17: Years ago a
lady told me that since Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist that made Jesus a
Baptist. If my hair was cut by John the barber, would that make me a barber?
When Jesus was baptized by John, it was not to become a Baptist but to “fulfill
all righteousness.” Jesus was baptized in
God wants all men to become Christians. To be saved you must hear
the gospel (Romans