1. What is happening? “In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 3:1
A. The gospels reveal people were coming from all over the Judean countryside as well as Jerusalem to be baptized by John for the forgiveness of sins.
B. The Pharisees and Sadducees also were coming to where John was baptizing. Verse 7
2. Who is baptizing? "People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.” Matthew 3:5-6
A. John is the baptizer, he was sent by God to announce the Savior to the world; and he called people to prepare the way for Him.
B. In John 1:31 we are given plainly the reason John was baptizing. So that the Lamb of God would be revealed to Israel.
3. When is this happening? ”In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee...” Luke 3:1
A. At that time. When John was baptizing with water. This was a specific time in actual history which takes us from Jesus the boy, to Jesus the adult.
B. This is before Jesus public ministry began. “Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry…” Luke 3:23
4. Where had Jesus been before this? “Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.” Matthew 3:13
A. He had been in Nazareth working with his earthly father and went to where John was baptizing, so that he could be baptized.
5. Why would Jesus need to be baptized? “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Matt 3:15
A. There are several reasons Jesus was baptized. We think primarily as an example which we need to follow and a process to emulate.
B. Let’s look briefly at these reasons: Identification – Emanuel God with us. Association – Jesus’ continued relationship with sinners. Ordination – Jesus prays, anointed by Spirit & begins ministry. Provision – God’s redemptive plan and provision for sin.
