As the Epiphany season gets into full swing, the Baptism of our Lord Sunday has the following three readings assigned: Isaiah 43:1-7 (Redeem Israel); Romans 6:1-11 (Baptized into His death); and Luke 3:15-22 (Baptism of Jesus). The text chosen to elucidate is Luke 3:21, “Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.”
The theme for this sermon is the different purpose between the John the Baptist baptism of Jesus and our Pentecost baptism. For John’s baptism was not a sacramental baptism but rather a ritual or ceremonial repenting of one’s sin in preparation for the coming of the Messiah. Unlike John’s baptism of water alone, the baptism of the Spirit is quite different fulfilling the promises of the Old Testament in that the body of the believer will now be the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Why, though, would Jesus need to be baptized if He were not a sinner? The answer is that part of the mission upon which Jesus was sent by the Father was to be substitute for you and me. The greatest act of substitution, of course, was when He became sin for us while hanging on the accursed cross. That is why the Father forsook Him because of His taking upon Himself the curse of the Law you and I deserved.
However, He did not become our substitute only at the cross. In the wilderness temptations He was our substitute in becoming successful in not falling into temptation unlike Israel of old. Also, in being baptized, He was taking upon Himself our sin even then so that all righteousness might be fulfilled.
The paradox of this event is that Jesus the Sinless One took on sin so that we the sinner might receive His righteousness. Unlike every Law religion in the world that regards being righteous as becoming more holy and sinless, Christianity teaches that our righteousness as regarded by God is due to the relationship we have with Him. It is because we are a member of the family that we can join the feast.
Think about it. Who is worthy to eat at your dinner table? A stranger who knocks on your door demanding a free meal or a member of the family who receives the free meal regardless of his or her behavior? Because of His baptism at the Jordan, we are then graced by receiving the Holy Spirit at our sacramental baptism through which Peter in Acts 2 teaches that we receive the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Yes, two baptisms as recorded in Luke 3 and Romans 6. But each of them are used by God to save you by grace through faith on account of Jesus Christ.
Name:Tom Baker
Pastor Tom,
the problem here with this teaching by you is, its True!
The problem with me learning from your teaching is, the Truth kills!
The solution to these problems is also a major problem because it leaves me with nothing to do!
Are we ever in this life time going to get around to getting it?
Just last Sunday’s sermon here did it too when the Preacher asked us to read this:
Gal 5:5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.
See? Again, as you have taught some of us already, here would be a question to ask after reading Galatians 5:5: who is pushing the verbs?
It really does conflict with my glory story and it takes away all my righteousness leaving me “in the Spirit” “by someone else’s Faith” not mine, as I too, eagerly wait for the Hope of someone else’s Righteousness!
I need help because I am so wretched, I wouldn’t die to save me!
Again, thanks for your cutting words of Truth!
Michael
Eureka, Ca.