The Savior and the sinners
I. The Accounts of Jesus’ Baptism.
A. Matthew 3:13-17 (Jesus is the Righteous Remnant of Israel
who does the Father’s will).
“In this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all
righteousness” (Matt. 3:15; see Isaiah 64:5).
B. Mark 1:9-11 (Jesus is God’s Son).
“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son
of God” (Mk. 1:1).
C. Luke 3:21-22 (Jesus is the Second Adam who redeems humankind).
“When all the people were being baptized, Jesus also
was baptized” (Lk. 3:21).
II. The Signs at Jesus’ Baptism.
A. The heavens open (Matt. 3:16; Mk. 1:10; Lk. 3:21).
1. God comes down from heaven to redeem his people
(Isaiah 64:1; context 63:15-19).
2. Mark 1:10 (schizo “torn”; see Mk. 15:38).
B. The Spirit of God descends (Matt. 3:16; Mk. 1:10; Lk. 3:22).
1. Jesus is the King/Servant Messiah (Isa. 11:2; 42:1; 61:1).
2. Jesus is the Suffering Servant of God (Isaiah 42:1; Isa.
61:1) who will die for the sins of the People (Isa.53).
3. Jesus is God’s Lamb who takes away the sin of the world
(John 1:29-34).
C. The heavenly voice says: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I
am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17).
1. Jesus is the beloved Servant of God (Isa. 42:1).
2. Jesus is the King-Son of God (Psalm 2:7).
III. The Consequences of Jesus’ Baptism.
A. Jesus commits to do all God’s saving will (Matthew).
B. Jesus takes on the specific role of sin-bearing Lamb of God
(John), identifying with those he came to save (Luke).
C. Jesus begins a journey of obedience which will culminate in
another “baptism” — of blood, in his voluntary death for sin
and in the place of sinners (Lk. 12:49-50; Mk. 10:38; see
I John 5:6).
