Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Mark 1:9-11
At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
Dear fellow redeemed,
Two weeks ago, we celebrated one of the most significant events in the history of the world: God’s own son was born. He was born meek and mild. Born to a virgin, placed in a manger, wrapped in strips of cloth, our Savior came to earth.
Jesus’ birth was such a significant event that God in heaven felt compelled to speak. Speaking through his messengers, angels announced the child’s birth to a group of shepherds. That night heavenly glory became visible for the eye to see.
Fast forward thirty years later. Another significant event took place. Jesus was baptized in the river Jordan. We know this to be a momentous event not only because all three members of the Trinity present: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; but also because God the Father chose to speak.
As we review this, the second of two momentous events, may God the Holy Spirit lead us to a better understanding of what took place that day; and to a better understanding of certain:
Blessings of Baptism
1. It identified Jesus as God’s Son
2. It identifies you as God’s child
Let me set the scene for you. The gospels do not record a great deal of information about Jesus’ early life. Matthew's gospel account records Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, the visit of the Magi from the east, his parent's escape into Egypt, and how Mary, Joseph and Jesus finally settled in the city of Nazareth. Luke's gospel account mentions Jesus’ presentation at the temple when he was eight days old and his visit to the temple as a twelve year old boy. It was there that his parents found him about his Father's business. And from then on, all we really know about this step-son of a carpenter is that he "Grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:41-52).
Although the Scriptures are silent during most of Jesus' early years, we are assured that he was actively carrying out his Father's plan of salvation. Jesus continued to live a perfect life, from infancy through adulthood, just as his Father demanded. He was the sinless Son of God!
But now the time had come for Jesus to publicly carry out what his Father had called him to do. After nearly thirty years of silence, the time had come for Jesus to leave the anonymity of Nazareth and begin his public ministry. His public ministry would begin with his baptism by John.
When Jesus reached John, the Baptist was at the height of his popularity. People came from near and far to hear his call to repentance and to be baptized in the Jordan River. John preached the law in all its severity, trying to prepare the people for a Savior who was about to come.
Calling upon Matthew’s gospel account which gives a little more detail, we’re told that when Jesus came to be baptized by John, John objected to the idea. Maybe we do too. Why in all the world would Jesus come forward to be baptized by John? Baptism is for sinners. Jesus was and always will be perfect. What did he need to repent of? Recognizing that, John told him, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" (Matthew 3:13).
John recognized that he was a sinner who wasn't even worthy to tie or untie Jesus’ sandals. And of course, John was right. He was a sinful human-being in need of forgiveness while Jesus, the perfect Son of God, didn’t need to be baptized as all others do. However Jesus overruled him. Jesus said, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness" (Matthew 3:15).
Jesus let John know that he was simply doing what his Father in heaven wanted him to do, and that was good enough for John; so he baptized him. And then we’re told, “As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased"(Mark 1:10,11).
The approving voice of God the Father and the appearance of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove – in addition to being the clearest biblical illustration of the fact that God is triune – publicly identified Jesus as the one John spoke of earlier when he pointed to him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).
If anybody on the banks of the Jordan who witnessed this event had any misgivings that Jesus was someone special or that he was indeed the Messiah everyone had been waiting for, all doubt disappeared at his baptism. That is why the baptism of Jesus is often referred to as the defining event that marked the beginning of his public ministry.
From here Jesus would go into the wilderness where Satan would try to tempt him for forty days. He would not succeed. From there Jesus would arrive on the scene, choose his disciples, preach and teach throughout the land, all the while perfectly keeping every single one of God’s commands in our place as our sinless substitute.
Then, after three years of public ministry, Jesus would allow sinful human beings to take his life. He would march to Calvary’s cross carrying the weight of the world’s sins – including yours and mine! He suffered God’s punishment so that we won’t have to! And then three days later, Jesus proved his power over sin, death and the grave, when he rose Easter morning proving that there is life after death!
So that the world might know that this chain of events was about to be set into motion – and so that Satan himself might be served notice that his doom would soon be sealed – Jesus came to the Jordan River. His baptism identified Jesus as God’s Son and as the Savior of the world.
But that’s not all it does. There is something else – something deeply personal. Jesus’ baptism clearly identifies you as God’s child.
Let’s talk about that for just a moment. Jesus’ baptism identifies you as a child of God. Really? I would think a Driver’s License, Social Security number, finger print, DNA, or a credit card would identify us as who we are. Yes, to the state, but not as God’s child. Jesus’ baptism did that.
Let’s say that again…Jesus’ baptism identifies you as a child of God. How so? At his baptism, God’s own Son identified himself with sinners. He became one with us and took up the burden of sin. He came to give his life in our place. And when he rose from the grave, it signaled our sins were paid for in full. That promise was given to you on the day you were baptized.
And so now, every time we gather for worship, please notice, this baptismal font sits right here in the middle aisle so that everyone can see it. It was put here for a purpose. It sits right here so that every time God’s people come into God’s House we can see it and be reminded of the fact that it identifies us with Christ.
Maybe it’s been a while since you’ve thought about your baptism. I’ll admit these verses have made me stop and think about mine. And if you’re like me maybe you think of baptism as being in the past tense. You think, “I was baptized in the old church years and years ago,” as if the blessings of baptism were limited by time and space. But that’s not the case! The blessings of baptism are real and without end.
Stop for just a second and think about this. Remember what takes place at this baptismal font. We were once baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! When we were baptized, God the Father washed our sins away and made us his own; God the Son redeemed us with his holy precious blood; and God the Holy Spirit created saving faith in our hearts! On the day we were baptized, we became heirs of eternal life!
And so now, when you look up here and see the baptismal font, or better yet, when you see a baptism being performed, here is your opportunity to remember the blessings you continue to receive from your own baptism. Having been washed clean from sin and all its guilt, you are now free to serve your Lord in all that you say, think and do.
The helpless infant born that first Christmas, who walked among men in the form of a servant, did at times let rays of divine glory shine through. This Epiphany season, we are reminded of that. At his baptism, proof was given that Jesus is the Son of God and Savior of the world. And at your baptism, it became clear that you have been identified as a child of God.
I would like to close by encouraging you to do something I encourage every confirmation class I teach. Go home and find your baptismal certificate. Dig through the desk drawers or all the old boxes down in the basement if you have to, but go find your baptismal certificate. Take it out of its envelope and read it. It’s one thing you own that identifies you with Christ.
And I’d like to encourage you to do something else. Every time you come into God’s House, take a look up here at the baptismal font. It’s here for a reason. Its here to remind you of your baptism and the blessings you receive: your sins are washed away; you’re a child of God and an heir of eternal life. You see, once you know that; once you’ve been led to believe, then all the guilt and shame, all the heartache and pain; all the burdens you came in here carrying – at least for a little while, just go away.
That in itself is enough to put a smile on every face. Amen.
And now may the peace of God which surpasses all human understanding, keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.