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Read Introduction to Matthew
 
 
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
 
 
3:13
 
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
 
Now, in this verse, the adult Jesus appeared on the scene for the first time. Jesus presented Himself to John for baptism. His baptism was for the purpose of launching His ministry.
 
3:14
 
John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
 
Jesus did not match the requirements for John’s baptism, so he questioned Jesus’ need for baptism. Jesus was the sinless lamb of God (Jn. 1:29). Jesus sought a different baptism.
 
3:15
 
But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.
 
Jesus indicated that He needed to be baptized now “to fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus sought to fulfill the ministry of the Father. John then baptized Jesus. Jesus fulfills all righteousness by His life, death on the cross, resurrection, and ascension.
 
3:16
 
And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;
 
This verse shows the uniqueness of Jesus’ baptism. Jesus’ office was unto His death and resurrection. His going under the water indicates His death for our sins, and His rising up out of the water indicates His resurrection and victory over sin.
 
3:17
 
and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
 
The Father immediately approved the baptism of Jesus as the legitimate launching of His ministry. Thus, all three members of the Trinity involved themselves in Jesus’ baptism.
 
PRINCIPLE:
 
The purpose of the baptism of Jesus was to launch His office of redemption.
 
APPLICATION:
 
Jesus’ baptism was not an example for our baptism. We do not “follow the Lord in baptism.” Jesus was completely without sin, so He had no need for someone to die for Him or for a baptism that represents sacrifice. His baptism was not a picture of death, burial, and resurrection, as it is for us. His baptism launched His office for public ministry as Messiah.
 
The doctrine of redemption is behind Jesus’ launching of His public office. He did what we could not do—pay for our sins.
 
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”… Ga 3:13
 
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