The Baptism of Jesus [Sermon]

Annapolis, Maryland, USA

January 2025

Mark 1:9–11; Matthew 3:13–17; Luke 3:21–22 (Summarized)

People were being baptized by John. Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Jesus began his ministry and he was around thirty years of age.

1. The Baptism of Repentance

Matt 3:6-8 ESV

they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, … Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

2. The Baptism of Jesus 

Luke 3:21-22

when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

2.1 The Heavens Opened

2.2 Jesus Anointed

2.3 Jesus Approved

Psalm 2:7 ESV

The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;

today I have begotten you.

Isaiah 42:1 ESV

Behold my servant, whom I uphold,

my chosen, in whom my soul delights;

I have put my Spirit upon him;

he will bring forth justice to the nations.

3. The Need for Baptism

Matt 3:14-15 ESV

John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” 

3.1 Through His ______

1 John 3:3, 5 ESV

3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.

Ephesians 4:9-10 ESV

(In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

3.2 Through His ________

Luke 12:50

I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!