I. The Baptism Of Jesus Vs. 9-11
A. Why Did Jesus Get Baptized?
1. The people of Judah were baptized as a sign of their confession of their sins. (Mark 1:5)
2. Jesus had no sin to confess, for He was sinless.
a. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
b. Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
c. 1 John 3:5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.
3. John the Baptist objected to baptizing Jesus, knowing that Jesus didn’t need to repent.
4. Jesus didn’t come to confess His own sins, but to take away our sins.
a. John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
5. Mark did not state clearly why Jesus was baptized, but three things can be considered.
a. Obedience. Jesus was in full agreement with the Father’s righteous plan.
i. Jesus fulfilled the righteous demands of the law by coming to pay our debts.
ii. Sin calls for a payment of sin; Jesus came to fulfill that righteous demand.
iii. Matthew 3:13-15 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” 15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.
b. Identification w/sinful man. Though sinless, He walked among us as a man.
i. Philippians 2:5-8 NIV Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.
c. Committment. Jesus accepted His role as Messiah, and all that that included.
B. The Father’s Approval Of The Son Vs. 10, 11
1. Jesus saw the Heavens open & saw the Holy Spirit come upon Him in the form of a dove.
a. We would have thought that this was important mainly for the crowds to see.
i. It would have given credibility to Jesus in the eyes of the people.
b. But we are told that it was Jesus who experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit.
2. Jesus audibly heard the voice of God the Father expressing His approval.
a. Once again, we would have thought that it would have been important for the crowds
b. The voice from Heaven didn’t announce approval to the crowds, but to the Son.
3. God the Father validated to God the Son His calling, His enabling and His approval.
a. The Son was called by the Father to be the Messiah. This experience confirmed that.
b. Beloved Son- God the Father confirmed His love for God the Son.
c. The Holy Spirit came upon Jesus to empower Jesus the man to serve God the Father.
4. Why were these events at Jesus’ baptism important? Why did they have to happen?
a. Jesus became an example to us of submission to the plans of God.
b. These events gave public credibility to Jesus & fulfilled the prophecies about Him.
c. I believe also these events were intended to strengthen Jesus in His humanity.
5. Jesus was tempted in all points like us. (Hebrews 4:15) I would have struggled with…
a. “Am I able to complete this mission, this calling”? (Remember Gethsemane)
b. “Father, are you sure that I am the one to do this job”?
c. “What if everyone turns against Me”? His family turned against Him/disciples fled.
d. I believe that verses 10 & 11 were given not only for the crowds, but for Jesus also.
e. To confirm to Jesus His calling, the Father’s approval, and the enabling of the Spirit.
f. Isaiah 42:1-4 “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. 2 He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. 4 He will not fail nor be discouraged, Till He has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands shall wait for His law.”
II. The Temptation Of Jesus Vs. 12, 13
A. How We Might Have Responded
1. Having received such approval, most of us would have started a very public ministry.
2. We would capitalize on the moment of the voice from Heaven/Spirit-Dove experience.
3. We might reason that it would be wise to use this momentum to start a ministry.
B. His First Experience As Messiah: Be Tested & Tested
1. God’s ways are not our ways: Jesus needed to learn obedience thru suffering.
a. How could he minister strength to us unless He Himself also trusted in the Father?
b. Hebrews 5:7-9 in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,
2. Matthew 4:1-3a Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said… For more information, see my notes on Matthew 4:1-11
3. The same grace of God that helped Jesus will help us. The same Holy Spirit helps us.
4. Jesus showed us how to resist temptation, & He understands our struggles against sin.
C. We Need These Same Experiences As Jesus
1. You need to be sure that God is your Father and that you are His child.
a. Most importantly, for your eternal salvation.
b. Secondly, so that you can better face the trials of life and be sure of your Father’s love.
c. Romans 8:15-16 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God…
2. Jesus knew that the Father approved of Him. We need to grow in that assurance as well.
a. Romans 8:28, 31, 32 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
3. Jesus taught us how to live the Spirit filled life. Being led by the Spirit, and resisting sin.
a. Galatians 5:16-17 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
4. Jesus stepped out of Heaven and lived as a man. He understands our struggles.
5. If you desire to live victoriously, and to effectively serve and bless others, we must go through these same experiences, we must have these same assurances, we must go through the same refining tests. We must walk in the footsteps of Jesus.