Week 3 | The Baptism of Jesus
Series: A Year in the Life of Jesus
Great storytellers don’t just recount events — they reveal meaning. The Shawshank Redemption isn’t merely about a prison break; it’s about hope in institutional despair. The Lion King isn’t simply about succession; it’s about distorted identity. The Lord of the Rings isn’t just a journey to Mordor; it’s about the corruptive nature of power and salvation through weakness.
The Gospel writers do the same. They don’t merely report what Jesus did. They show us what it means.
Before Jesus performs a miracle, preaches a sermon, or calls a disciple, He enters an extended season of preparation. And at the center of that preparation stands a moment so significant that all four Gospels record it: His baptism.
Matthew introduces John the Baptist with prophetic language: “In those days…” (Matthew 3:1–3). That phrase signals fulfillment. First-century Jewish readers, longing for a prophet after centuries of silence, would have recognized the imagery immediately — wilderness, repentance, Isaiah’s voice crying out. Something is happening. God is moving again.
John’s message is familiar but surprising: “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!” (Matthew 3:2).
Repentance is often misunderstood. It is not guilt, shame, or mere regret. Biblically, repentance is a Spirit-enabled reorientation of the heart — a change of mind and direction that turns from self-trust toward God’s rule. It’s not “get yourself together so God will accept you.” It’s realignment because the King has arrived.
But then comes the shock.
When the Pharisees and Sadducees arrive, John calls them a “brood of vipers.” These were the spiritual elites — morally serious, biblically literate, culturally respected. Yet John rebukes their assumption that heritage equals righteousness. “Don’t presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’” Repentance is not just for obvious sinners. It’s for everyone.
And then the moment deepens. Jesus steps into the Jordan.
The One without sin enters water meant for sinners. John protests: “I need to be baptized by you.” Yet Jesus insists, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15).
Why would the sinless Son of God submit to a baptism of repentance?
Because His baptism is the Gospel on display.
It’s Gospel formed humility: The King steps into the sinner’s Water
It’s Merciful Solidarity: Jesus is identifying with Israel’s weakness
It’s Covenant Fulfillment: Jesus is keeping the promise Israel could never keep
It’s a Foretaste of Future Grace: Jesus will go down into death, but come out of the grave reborn
Jesus’ Baptism confronts the two default responses to the Gospel:
I don’t need this.
I don’t deserve this.
Some of us need to repent of self-righteousness — trying to earn what can only be received. Some of us need to repent of self-condemnation — believing our sin is greater than God’s mercy.
The Pharisees thought they were too good. The tax collectors assumed they were too far gone. Jesus’ baptism tells both groups they are wrong.
Not only does the Baptism of Jesus show us our need for the Gospel, but it also shows us how it can transform the way we live.
The heavens open…
The Spirit descends like a dove. The Father declares, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
Notice what has not yet happened.
Jesus has not preached a sermon.
He has not healed a leper.
He has not fed a crowd.
He has not gone to the Cross.
Identity and love come before ministry activity.
The Father does not say, “This is my Son, who will make me proud.” He says, “This is my Son, whom I love.”
And here is where the story meets us.
Most of us are not living from “beloved.” We live from pressure. We live trying to prove we matter. We live attempting to earn delight or fearing we’ve forfeited it.
But Jesus’ baptism shows us that our security is rooted in the Father’s love — not in our performance.
Because of Jesus, sons and daughters are declared beloved before they ever achieve.
So perhaps the most practical step is this: before you check your phone, before you head into work, before you begin striving — pause and pray:
“Father, because of Jesus, I am Your beloved child. You delight in me.”
What if we learned to live from love and acceptance, and not for love and acceptance? How transformative might that be in our lives?