Jesus came to identify with us so that we could identify with Him. This text raises questions: what’s the purpose of Jesus’ baptism? Is he repenting like the people John is baptizing? Is he preparing himself for the coming of the kingdom? Is his baptism related to believer’s baptism? What do we see in the baptism of Jesus? Three things: He doesn’t fit John’s baptism; His baptism inaugurates his earthly ministry (Spirit and Voice of the Father); His baptism identifies him with us so that we might identify with Him. Consider the benefits that come to us through his baptism: cleansed from our sins by the blood of Christ, signified in his baptism; heaven opened to us – fellowship with the Father; the Holy Spirit given to us; the Father’s affirmation to us as his beloved children.
Scripture: Matt. 3:13-17; 2 Cor. 5:21; Isa. 53:10-12; Lk. 12:50; Ps. 2:7; Isa. 42:1, 61:1-4, 11:1-2; Texts on the Trinity: Duet. 6:4, John 6:27, John 1:1; Acts 5:3-4; John 20:17, 14:16, 14:26; 1 Cor. 8:6
