Jesus' Baptism: Fulfillment of Righteousness and Redemption

 

Summary

In our exploration of the work of Christ, we delve into the profound significance of Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist at the River Jordan. This event marks the beginning of Jesus' public ministry and serves as a pivotal moment in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. Before examining Jesus' baptism, it's essential to understand the radical nature of John's call to baptism. After 400 years of prophetic silence, John emerges from the desert, embodying the voice of prophecy and calling the people of Israel to repentance and baptism. This was a shocking call, as baptism was traditionally reserved for Gentiles converting to Judaism, symbolizing their cleansing and inclusion into the covenant community. John's call for Jews to undergo this ritual was a profound statement about their need for spiritual renewal and readiness for the coming Messiah.

John's mission was to prepare the way for the Lord, urging the people to repent because the kingdom of God was at hand. He used vivid imagery, such as the axe at the root of the tree and the winnowing fork, to convey the urgency of the moment. The Messiah was near, and the people were unprepared. John's baptism was a call to spiritual cleansing, a necessary preparation for the arrival of the King.

When Jesus approached John for baptism, John was initially resistant, recognizing Jesus as the sinless Lamb of God. However, Jesus insisted, stating it was necessary to fulfill all righteousness. This act was not for His own cleansing but to identify with His people and fulfill the law's demands on their behalf. Jesus' baptism signifies His anointing by the Holy Spirit, marking the commencement of His mission as the Messiah.

The concept of fulfilling all righteousness is crucial. Jesus' life of perfect obedience to the law is as vital to our salvation as His sacrificial death. His active obedience, living a life in full compliance with God's law, is imputed to us, just as our sins were imputed to Him on the cross. This double imputation is central to our understanding of salvation, highlighting that Jesus is our righteousness.

Key Takeaways:

- The baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist marks the beginning of His public ministry and highlights the restoration of prophetic voice after 400 years of silence. John's call for Jews to undergo a ritual typically reserved for Gentile converts underscores the need for spiritual renewal and readiness for the Messiah's arrival. [00:37]

- John's message of repentance and the imminent arrival of the kingdom of God emphasizes the urgency of spiritual preparation. The imagery of the axe at the root of the tree and the winnowing fork illustrates the critical moment of decision and separation between those ready for the kingdom and those who are not. [06:57]

- Jesus' insistence on being baptized by John, despite being sinless, underscores His role in fulfilling all righteousness. This act signifies His identification with humanity and His commitment to fulfilling the law's demands on behalf of His people, highlighting the necessity of His active obedience. [16:32]

- The concept of double imputation is central to understanding salvation. Jesus' perfect obedience to the law is imputed to believers, just as their sins were imputed to Him on the cross. This exchange is essential for believers to be seen as righteous before God, emphasizing that Jesus is our righteousness. [21:51]

- Jesus' baptism and subsequent anointing by the Holy Spirit mark the commencement of His mission as the Messiah. This event signifies His readiness to fulfill the prophecies and His role in God's redemptive plan, setting the stage for His ministry and ultimate sacrifice. [13:58]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:37] - Introduction to Jesus' Baptism
- [01:32] - The Silence of Prophecy
- [02:26] - John the Baptist's Radical Call
- [03:20] - The Significance of John's Baptism
- [04:07] - Proselyte Baptism and Jewish Cleansing
- [05:10] - The Offense to the Pharisees
- [06:02] - John's Mission and Message
- [06:57] - The Urgency of Repentance
- [07:42] - Metaphors of Urgency
- [09:03] - The Winnowing Fork
- [09:47] - Israel's Unpreparedness
- [10:47] - John's Testimony of Jesus
- [12:26] - Behold the Lamb of God
- [13:58] - Jesus' Anointing and Mission
- [15:31] - The Necessity of Jesus' Baptism
- [16:32] - Fulfillment of All Righteousness
- [19:11] - Active and Passive Obedience
- [21:51] - Double Imputation and Salvation
- [23:29] - Conclusion and Next Steps

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 3:13-17
2. Isaiah 40:3
3. Isaiah 61:1-2

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the significance of John the Baptist's call for Jews to undergo baptism, a ritual typically reserved for Gentile converts? [05:10]

2. How did John the Baptist describe the urgency of repentance and the coming of the kingdom of God? What imagery did he use? [06:57]

3. Why did John initially resist baptizing Jesus, and how did Jesus respond to his hesitation? [16:32]

4. What event marked the beginning of Jesus' public ministry, and how was it significant in fulfilling prophecy? [13:58]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of "fulfilling all righteousness" relate to Jesus' baptism, and why is it important for understanding His mission? [18:10]

2. In what ways does the idea of double imputation (our sins to Jesus and His righteousness to us) deepen the understanding of salvation? [21:51]

3. How does John's role as the forerunner of the Messiah highlight the importance of spiritual preparation and readiness? [06:02]

4. What does Jesus' baptism and anointing by the Holy Spirit reveal about the nature of His mission and His identification with humanity? [13:58]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the idea of spiritual renewal and readiness. What areas of your life might need a "spiritual cleansing" to prepare for a deeper relationship with God? [05:10]

2. John's message emphasized the urgency of repentance. Is there an area in your life where you feel a sense of urgency to change or repent? How can you take steps toward that change this week? [06:57]

3. Jesus' baptism was an act of obedience and identification with humanity. How can you follow His example of obedience in your daily life, even when it might not seem necessary? [16:32]

4. The concept of double imputation suggests a profound exchange between Jesus and believers. How does this understanding affect your view of your own righteousness and standing before God? [21:51]

5. Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in Jesus' mission. How can you seek the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit in your own life and ministry? [13:58]

6. John's call to prepare the way for the Lord was a call to action. What practical steps can you take to prepare your heart and life for God's work in and through you? [06:02]

7. Reflect on the imagery of the axe at the root of the tree and the winnowing fork. What does this imagery say about the urgency of spiritual decisions, and how can it motivate you to make necessary changes in your life? [07:42]

Devotional

Day 1: The Radical Call to Spiritual Renewal
The baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist marks a significant moment in the history of Israel, as it signifies the restoration of the prophetic voice after 400 years of silence. John's call for Jews to undergo a ritual typically reserved for Gentile converts was a profound statement about their need for spiritual renewal and readiness for the Messiah's arrival. This call to baptism was shocking because it challenged the Jewish people to recognize their need for repentance and spiritual cleansing, just as Gentiles did when converting to Judaism. John's message was a call to prepare for the coming of the Messiah, urging the people to repent and be ready for the kingdom of God. [00:37]

Isaiah 40:3-5 (ESV): "A voice cries: 'In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.'"

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need spiritual renewal? How can you prepare your heart for the presence of God today?


Day 2: The Urgency of Spiritual Preparation
John's message of repentance and the imminent arrival of the kingdom of God emphasizes the urgency of spiritual preparation. He used vivid imagery, such as the axe at the root of the tree and the winnowing fork, to convey the critical moment of decision and separation between those ready for the kingdom and those who are not. This urgency was a call to action, urging the people to repent and be spiritually prepared for the coming of the Messiah. The imagery used by John highlights the seriousness of the moment and the need for immediate response to God's call. [06:57]

Joel 2:12-13 (ESV): "'Yet even now,' declares the Lord, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.' Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster."

Reflection: What urgent spiritual preparation do you need to make in your life today? How can you respond to God's call with immediacy and sincerity?


Day 3: Jesus' Identification with Humanity
Jesus' insistence on being baptized by John, despite being sinless, underscores His role in fulfilling all righteousness. This act signifies His identification with humanity and His commitment to fulfilling the law's demands on behalf of His people. Jesus' baptism was not for His own cleansing but to identify with His people and fulfill the law's demands on their behalf. This act of obedience highlights the necessity of His active obedience and His role as the Messiah. [16:32]

Matthew 3:13-15 (ESV): "Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 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.' Then he consented."

Reflection: How does Jesus' identification with humanity impact your understanding of His role in your life? In what ways can you follow His example of obedience today?


Day 4: The Exchange of Righteousness
The concept of double imputation is central to understanding salvation. Jesus' perfect obedience to the law is imputed to believers, just as their sins were imputed to Him on the cross. This exchange is essential for believers to be seen as righteous before God, emphasizing that Jesus is our righteousness. The idea of double imputation highlights the significance of Jesus' life and death in the salvation of humanity, as His righteousness is credited to believers, allowing them to stand justified before God. [21:51]

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV): "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Reflection: How does the concept of double imputation change your perspective on your relationship with God? What steps can you take to live in the reality of being made righteous through Christ?


Day 5: The Commencement of Jesus' Mission
Jesus' baptism and subsequent anointing by the Holy Spirit mark the commencement of His mission as the Messiah. This event signifies His readiness to fulfill the prophecies and His role in God's redemptive plan, setting the stage for His ministry and ultimate sacrifice. The anointing by the Holy Spirit at His baptism was a public declaration of His mission and purpose, affirming His identity as the Messiah and His commitment to fulfilling God's plan for salvation. [13:58]

Luke 4:18-19 (ESV): "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Reflection: In what ways can you align your life with the mission and purpose of Jesus? How can you be an active participant in God's redemptive plan today?

Quotes


What is so radical about it is in the first place the voice of prophecy in Israel had been silent for 400 years. And we have a tendency to look back into the past and sort of telescope history and think that there was a miracle behind every bush, and a prophet appearing every other Friday there in Israel. [00:01:07]

But the most radical thing about his appearance was not how he looked or how he dressed or even that he was a prophet coming after 400 years, but what it… the most thing was what he did. He calls the people of Israel to the Jordan River to be baptized. [00:03:20]

In the Old Testament, the Jews had a ritual called proselyte baptism that was restricted only for those Gentiles who were converting to Judaism. And in the categories of the Old Testament covenant, the Gentiles were strangers to that covenant. They were outside the covenant community of Israel, and they were considered by nature to be unclean, impure, defiled. [00:04:07]

And he says, he uses some metaphors and some images to describe the urgency of the moment, where he says, “The axe is laid at the root of the tree.” And using that image of the woodsman who goes out, and he’s going to chop down a tree, and he starts with the outer bark, and he makes a dent in the bark, and then he has to keep penetrating deeper and deeper and deeper into the course of the tree and get to the root of the tree before the tree will topple. [00:07:42]

The other image he uses is of the winnowing fork, where the farmer says, “It’s time for harvest.” And they would harvest the wheat, and they would separate the wheat by the chaff. They would have this big pile of wheat, and it would be all filled with chaff. And you wouldn’t get down on your hands and knees and take out a little piece of wheat and a little piece of chaff. [00:08:50]

And John says, “Here’s how urgent it is. His fork is in his hand.” He’s ready to put that winnowing fork into that wheat and the chaff. That crisis moment of separation is now. It’s about to break through, and the problem with you, Israel, is that the King is about to appear, the Messiah is at the threshold, and you’re not ready. [00:09:38]

And the next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him, and he sang the Agnus Dei. He said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Wow. The biggest problem that the Jews had with their understanding of the Messiah was this element of His office, His element of redeeming from sin, of being a sacrificial lamb. [00:12:26]

This marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. This, as it were, was His ordination. Though God had sent Him to be the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Messiah, Jesus during His youth was not running around being the Messiah. He didn’t enter into that mission until He was baptized. [00:13:51]

And what that meant to the Jew was to obey every jot and tittle of the law because now Jesus is not acting in His baptism for Himself, but for His people. And if His people are required to keep the Ten Commandments, He keeps the Ten Commandments. If His people are now required to submit to this baptismal ritual, He submits to it in their behalf. [00:19:00]

If all Jesus did was die for your sins, that would remove all of your guilt, and that would leave you sinless in the sight of God, but not righteous. You would be innocent but not righteous because you haven’t done anything to obey the law of God, which is what righteousness requires. [00:20:03]

The passive obedience of Christ refers to His willingness to submit to the pain that is inflicted upon Him by the Father on the cross in the atonement. He passively receives the curse of God there. The active obedience refers to His whole life of obeying the law of God; whereby, he qualifies to be the Savior. [00:20:47]

So what I’m saying to you is that His life of perfect obedience is just as necessary for our salvation as His perfect atonement on the cross because there’s double imputation – my sin to Him, His righteousness to me. So that is what the Scripture is getting at when it says, “Jesus is our righteousness.” [00:22:35]

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Transcript
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