The Immersion of the Word
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Please turn in your Bibles to Mark 1:9-11, and let us read the word of God together
Introduction
A drunk stumbled along a baptismal service on Sunday afternoon down by the river. He proceeded to walk down into the water and stood next to the Preacher. The minister turned and noticed the old drunk and said, "Mister, Are you ready to find Jesus?" The drunk looks back and says, "Yes, Preacher. I sure am." The minister then dunked the fellow under the water and pulled him right back up. "Have you found Jesus?" the preacher asks. "No, I didn’t!" says the drunk. The preacher then dunks him under for quite a bit longer, brings him up and says, "Now, brother, have you found Jesus?" "No, I did not Preacher." The preacher in disgust holds the man under for at least 30 seconds this time brings him out of the water and says in a harsh tone, "Friend, are you sure you haven’t found Jesus yet?" The old drunk wipes his eyes and says to the preacher..."Are you sure this is where he fell in?"
Often when it comes to Baptism we can miss the meaning, the truth importance and purpose of Baptism and indeed we can end up not seeing what we should see, we can look but not really find.
This is true also when we come to our verses for discussion this morning, as we come to the Baptism of Christ we can be guilty of looking but not finding, what God would have us to find from this account.
The questions which arise from our verses of scripture; can be numerous.
Why did Christ get Baptised in the first place?
What does that mean for me?
What am I to take from these verses?
Well that is what I will hopefully help you with this morning. However before we delve straight into the purpose of Christ Baptism, we need to catch up on the back story, what has happened that brings Christ to this point.
So firstly then, let’s look at...
1. The Preparation for Christ’s Baptism
9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
We open up with a simple little phrase, almost nonchalant, in those days, just as if they were ordinary days but they were far from ordinary, for truly the Son of God walked among his creation, God in the flesh, Emmanuel - God with us!
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
This was the fulness of time, it was the perfect time.
Jesus came at the right time, and we find throughout his ministry he was always in the right place at the right time.
Mark tells us nothing of what had happen in Jesus life up to this point, remember this is the servant Gospel, so we don’t have the genealogies, or the nativity account, we just have the simple words, and it came to pass in those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee.
So what had happened up until this point? Well Jesus was 30 at this point
And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,
that age was significant, for it was at the age of Thirty that was age of spiritual maturity in scripture and in the Judaic culture of Jesus’ day,
30 was the age at which a man would be fully recognised as a rabbi.
Thirty was the age at which the Levites entered into the work; the age when it was lawful for scribes to teach.
From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.
So we find that Jesus comes to this point to begin his public ministry at the age of 30, following the Law. but what of the years before this? what did he do and what was the purpose?
Well, the only time we read of Jesus in the Gospels before this, outside of his birth and subsequent flight to Egypt with his parents is in Luke chapter 2
And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
These are the first recorded words on Jesus in the Gospels, and in this account we find out what he did during those years between 12 and 30
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Jesus in those years lived a normal yet exceptional life, normal in that he had a humble working class home, Son of a carpenter. Exceptional in that he was perfect, in him there was no sin, he never had a wrong thought, did a wrong things or even said a wrong thing, he was perfect.
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Now, this is supremely important, for it was only a sinless spotless sacrifice that could be offered up as the perfect sacrifice on the cross. So that when we turn to God in repentance, we can be accepted by God, because of Christ’s sacrifice as our substitute.
Christ’s perfect life credited to our account, so that when God looks upon the one who is saved, born-again, he sees Christ, he sees the saint clothed in the righteousness of Christ, that’s how we are accepted for all our righteousness is like filthy rags before God.
Credit report - really bad/computer says no. Then one comes along with a perfect record, never missed a payment - you can have my perfect credit history for you damaged and marred history.
, Christ lived this normal yet exceptional life for 30 years, walking among his creation
You remember that song, what if God was one of us?
Well he was, and for that reason we cannot stand before him and say, you don’t know what its like to live in this world, you don’t know what it is like to suffer, to hunger, to grieve, to live according to your means....you don’t know Lord.
people giving parental advice that don’t have children, people telling you about drug addiction that have never been addicted, people telling you about child loss that haven’t lost a children, people telling you about growing up without a mother or a father who haven’t been through it.
Well that charge can’t be levelled at Christ, we can’t say you don’t know what it’s like to be one of us, because his response will be, Oh but my child i do..
You see Christ lived amongst normal people, he once again flipped the expectations of what people would expect for a King, he lived in Nazareth, a place of no reputation, a place of common folk.
And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
He live a normal yet exceptional live amongst his creation as preparation for what was ahead.
next we want to get into the purpose of Christ’s Baptism
2. The Purpose of Christ’s Baptism
10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
So now we come to the heart of the matter, why did Jesus get baptised?
We know from scripture that the baptism John administered was one of repentance, and we know that repentance means a turning, a change, acknowledging your sin, and the seperation it has caused between you and God, it is being broken hearted over you sinful state and appealing to God for his mercy and Grace.
Now, the question must be asked at this point, did Jesus need to repent?
Did he have any sin in him, did he do any wrong before God? No, he was sinless, he could not sin, because he was God, thats called the impeccability of Christ in theological terms, that means he could not sin, and we will expand on that more next time as we look at the temptation of Christ.
So, if Jesus had nothing to repent of or for, if he was sinless, if he was the Son of God, why did he get baptised?
John himself was taken aback to say the least when Christ came to him to Baptised, and he initially was’t having any of it
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
John knew the deal, he couldn't baptise the messiah, The Son of God! but Christ tells him it needs to happen “suffer it to be so now” Jesus tells John, he says listen John I know you don’t quite understand this, but I know what I am doing so just do as I ask.
Wonderful truth here, you don’t have to understand fully why God is asking you to do something, you just have to obey, God knows whats best and if he is asking then just obey, even if you don’t fully understand.
So Baptise Jesus, at his command, John does. It’s a Baptism by full immersion
And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
We see the trinity in action here.
The beloved Son was there!
The Spirit of God was there!
The Father Himself was there!
Three persons, one God. Each member of the Godhead is actively involved in bringing salvation to a lost world.
Now, Three reasons I want to give you this morning why Jesus was baptised.
A. It was a Matter of Consecration
The word “Christ” comes from christos, a Greek word meaning “anointed.” Jesus’ anointing took place here at his baptism.
Peter said this in
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Jesus’ anointing was three-fold.
Jesus was anointed to be a prophet, like Elisha; anointed to be a priest, like Aaron and he was also anointed to be a king, like David.
They were anointed with oil, but Jesus was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit. Fulfilment of all three anointing’s were clearly foretold by Moses and confirmed in the New Testament. Jesus taught as a prophet; he sacrificed himself as a Priest, and he rules as King.
This is the beginning of the Messiahs Public ministry, his consecration for the task at hand.
B. It was a Matter of Identification
Those that came to John’s baptism were reptant sinners and John only baptised those that were genuine in there realisation of their need of God, their sinful sate.
You see there were those who came hypocritically, who came to put on a show for others but didn't come out of heartfelt repentance.
Those who were baptised were genuine and Jesus identifies with the genuine, he identifies with the repentant sinners, not the hypocritical religious establishment.
And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Jesus is calling sinners, those who understand all of their works is as filthy rags before God,
But we are all as an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; And we all do fade as a leaf; And our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
those who understand that they are sinners, not the self righteous, not those who think they can work there way to God, but those that understand that they can’t work their way to God, who understand they are dead in trespasses and sins, who understand they need a saviour not a system!
so Jesus’s baptism was a matter of consecration and identification, but the most important reason Jesus was baptised was that..
C. It was a Matter of Submission
John remember protested, but Jesus replied..
And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
It’s the right thing to do John...
Why was it the right thing to, because it was the will of the Father, and the Lord Jesus is our perfect example, he was always in obedience to the will of the Father.
And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
The Father’s accolade set the seal of divine approval on the silent years from the Lord’s birth to His baptism.
The Father had observed Him in that Nazareth home—as a babe, as a boy, as a brother, and as a businessman.
He had observed Him in the home, at school, on the playground, at the well, in the village, and in the shop.
He had observed Him in the secret place.
He had been the unseen Listener to every conversation; the unseen Guest at every meal; the unseen Witness to every act; and the unseen Recorder of every secret thought, imagination, and desire.
Here is His verdict on those hidden thirty years: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”
I wonder this morning, if God was to give an opinion on the things he has seen and heard in your life this week, would the report comment be “I am well pleased”?
The public approval of the Father was voiced at Jordan’s bank, the Son was in complete submission to the Father, God spoke and Jesus answered “Yes, Father”
This example of submission is how Jesus started his Public ministry, it was how he continued it for 3 and half years and it was how he ended it with the same example of submission -
Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
Jesus was always obedient, its called the perfect active obedience of Christ, his example was a high one and it’s one that we should follow.
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Conclusion
So this morning we have looked at the preparation and purpose of Christ’s Baptism, but I want to close by bringing us to the application of all this.
What does this mean to me?
Well Simply, and i am not trying to cause offence, I am simply staying true to my conviction, based upon the word of God, the application is simply that if you are a Christian this morning you should be Baptised. Full stop.
Again, if my words are cutting to your heart this morning then i take no pleasure in this, but I have to tell the truth, I have to declare the word of God, even when thats uncomfortable, even when I know there will be some who will take exception to what I say, maybe be offended even, I have to declare the truth, and the simple truth is that its not okay to be a Christian and not be baptised, it’s not okay
The Bible teaches that the Believer must be baptised
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
We have got to a place in the Church today, where baptism is an optional extra, a take it or leave it type deal, but it’s not it’s a command from scripture, its important, it’s how are Lord Jesus began his earthly ministry are perfect example, the one who was always submitted to the will of the father, Jesus did it and so should you!!!
To not be in obedience to the will of the Father is to be in disobedience, purely and simply if you haven’t been Baptised by full immersion according to the Bible, in that public declaration of identification and submission, then you are in disobedience to God and you need to put that right.
Now, I have to clarify at this point, water baptism has nothing to do with saving you, nothing at all. However, that doesn’t mean that we can discard water Baptism and say it doesn't matter, it does.
I do understand that certain exceptions come into play, some are just saved, or have medically conditions etc. But in general if your Christian not Baptised you should be.
You see Christ was always in submission to the will of the father, he began his public ministry as he ended it, with the words “Yes, father”, your will be done...
I wonder this morning will you determine to follow Jesus’s example and say from your Heart “Yes Father” and commit to walk the waters of Baptism in obedience to your God.
Let’s Pray