Matthew 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.

14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.

16 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; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

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What happened?

• What John had just declared (3:11-12):
  • A mightier figure was coming—John felt unworthy to untie his shoes (Mark 1:7).
  • He would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.
  • He would come with a winnowing fork to gather his wheat and burn the chaff with unquenchable fire.
• Who John represented:
  • He was a voice in the wilderness imploring people to “prepare the way of the Lord” and “make (the Lord’s) paths straight” (3:3).
  • John prepared everyone for Yahweh, for the Spirit, for fire, and for judgment.
  • Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him (3:13).
    • Israel looked for a messianic deliverer who would deliver them from all opposition and restore the golden age David and Solomon foreshadowed.
    • And humble Jesus comes out from a nowhere place to be baptized.
• John objected to Jesus’ baptism.
  • Would have prevented him (3:14).
  • Matthew doesn’t tell us how John recognized Jesus, but Luke tells us of their family connection.
  • John balked at Jesus’ desire to embrace John’s baptism—a baptism of repentance and confession!
    • “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” (3:14).
      • Example: The school valedictorian is going to after school detention!
      • John: You’re good!
• Jesus insisted, so John consented and baptized him (3:15).

Jesus’ baptism was a significant event.

• Each of the four gospels make mention of Jesus’ baptism.
• It serves as a marker of the launch of his public ministry.
• Proposal: It was a significant moment because it marked the beginning of his public identification with sinners.
  • Israel was going out to the wilderness, confessing, repenting, and undergoing baptism, so they could come back into the land.
  • Jesus was totally qualified to be in the land, but he went out to the wilderness to be baptized with John’s baptism, and then went into more wilderness for a time of temptation.
  • Big Idea: When Christ came, he completely identified with us—fully participating in the human experience for us—so that we might participate in his life, the Spirit’s anointing, and the Father’s delight.

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Christ Participated In Our Story

Why would Jesus want to be baptized by John?

• “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (3:15).
  • Fulfill: An important word for Matthew, who uses it to convey how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament expectations.
    • Abraham and David (1:1)
    • Immanuel (1:22-23)
    • Bethlehem (2:7)
    • Out of Egypt (2:15)
    • Weeping (2:17-18)
    • Nazarene (2:23)
  • Here: Jesus thought his baptism would fulfill all righteousness (3:15).
    • Righteousness is a key concept in Matthew.
      • He uses it to describe people who conform themselves to God’s will all throughout his book (5:6, 10; 6:1, 33; 10:41; 13:17, 43; 25:46).
        • Including a time he used it as a synonym for fulfilling God’s law (5:17-20).
• In a word: participation.
  • Unpacked: He saw his baptism as a vicarious act—something he was doing to complete the story we could not.
    • He did what Israel could not:
      • He came out of Egypt.
      • He would succeed in the wilderness.
      • He would fulfill the Law.
    • He entered into Israel’s (and our) story, embraced his role as a figurehead for all of us, and suffered on the pathway for us.
    • The servant (of Isaiah) had arrived!

      • “My righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.” (Isaiah 53:11, NLT)

There was a trinitarian authentication of this moment.

• The heavens were opened to him (3:16).
  • Heaven (God’s presence) had been closed for a long time—the opening of the heavens symbolized a breakthrough of God to earth.
• He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him (3:16).
  • The Servant of the Lord had arrived!

    • “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.” (Isaiah 42:1, NIV)

• A voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (3:17).
  • Beloved: The beloved Son who would actually die (Gen. 22:1-2).
• Jesus’ baptism was conducted in anticipation of the cross.
  • He was vicariously joining himself to our story so that we could be joined to his story.
  • The King has been anointed—time to go to work!

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So We Participate in Jesus’ Life

Because Jesus participated in our story, we can participate in his life.

• New Testament phrase: in Christ.
  • Mentioned often: 89 times
  • What is found in Christ?
    • Redemption (Rom. 3:24)
    • Dead to sin and alive to God (Rom. 6:11)
    • Eternal life (Rom. 6:23)
    • No condemnation (Rom. 8:1)
    • Freedom from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:2)
    • Love of God (Rom. 8:39)
    • Made into one body (Rom. 12:5, Gal. 3:28)
    • Grace and kindness of God (1 Cor. 1:4, Eph. 2:7, 2 Tim. 2:2)
    • God’s establishing power (2 Cor. 1:21)
    • Triumph (2 Cor. 2:14)
    • New creations (2 Cor. 5:17)
    • Freedom from ceremonial law (Gal. 2:4)
    • Become children of God (Gal. 3:26)
    • Blessed with every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3)
    • Position in the heavenly places (Eph. 2:6)
    • Calling as his workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
    • Brought near to God (Eph. 2:13)
    • Partakers of God’s ancient promises (Eph. 3:6)
    • Forgiveness (Eph. 4:32)
    • Encouragement (Phil. 2:1)
    • Sacrificial, humble mindset like Jesus (Phil. 2:5)
    • Upward call of God (Phil. 3:14)
    • Protection of your heart and mind with God’s peace (Phil. 4:7)
    • God’s provision (Phil. 4:19)
    • Overflowing faith and love (1 Tim. 1:14, 2 Tim. 1:13)
    • The promise of life (2 Tim. 1:1)
    • Salvation (2 Tim. 2:10)
    • Eternal glory (1 Pet. 5:10)

The heart of salvation: more than forgiveness—union!

• “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20, ESV)

• Example: When Christina and married, we merged our finances, but that is never how I would describe marriage! Union!
• Vine / Branches — Head / Body — Cornerstone / Building — Husband / Wife — Root / Branches (Rom. 11:16-24)

The disciples will show us how to participate in Jesus’ life.

• Leave
  • Left all to follow him
• Learn
  • Teaching
  • Restoration
• Love
  • Partners sent out
  • Commissioned

So We Participate in the Spirit’s Anointing

The promised age of the Spirit was inaugurated with Jesus.

• Jesus saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him (3:16).
• The Servant of the Lord (I will put my Spirit on him, Is. 42:1) and the Davidic Branch (the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him, Is. 11:1) had arrived!
• We live in the age of the Spirit!

Dove power

• Dove:
  • Not in a form like John suggested—fire, axe.
  • Not like a more powerful animal—lion, eagle.
  • But like a dove, a symbol of gentleness and peace.
    • Example: pro-ball team—The Doves.
• Jesus had modulated (calibrated, controlled) power.
  • Power:
    • Calmed wind and waves.
    • Cast out demons.
    • Confronted corrupt religious leaders.
  • But like a dove:
    • Approachable—children came to him (Matt. 19:14).
    • Tender—would not break a bruised reed or snuff out a smoldering wick (Matt. 12:20).
    • Humble—gentle and lowly in heart (Matt. 11:28-29).

Because of Jesus, we get to participate in a similar anointing of the Spirit.

• Gentleness:

  • “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1, ESV)

• Holy Character:

  • “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16, ESV)

• Respectful Speech:

  • “In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)

• God’s Representatives:

  • “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20, ESV)

• When the church forgets the dove, we’ve always gotten into trouble.
  • Example: When my sister watched Braveheart on with a filter that deleted violence—no story left! But there is a story left when we embrace dove power.
  • 1 Corinthians 13:
    • Supernatural power (gifts of prophecy, faith to move mountains) detached from love (the Spirit’s fruit) is nothing.
    • It is “a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Cor. 13:1).
    • Unmodulated power leads to spiritual abuse, crusades, inquisitions, and a reputation that repels the bruised reeds we are called to heal.
• The Church’s power is modulated because its ends are different.

  • “Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”” (John 18:36, ESV)

    • The World’s Power: Seeks to compel behavior and control territory.
    • The Spirit’s Power: Seeks to convert the heart and liberate the soul.

So We Participate in the Father’s Delight

The Father speaks from heaven only twice in the Matthew, Mark, and Luke (the synoptic gospels)—he said the same thing both times.

• This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased (3:17, 17:5).
  • Baptism and transfiguration.
• Eternal delight of the Father for the Son.

  • “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17:24, ESV)

  • Father: This is my priceless and lovely Son. I am blessed, pleased, and overjoyed with him.

Through our union with Christ, we enter into the same glorious affirmation.

• Adoption:
  • Blessed us in the Beloved (Eph. 1:6).

  • “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”” (Romans 8:15, ESV)

Conclusion

Esther entering the king’s presence uninvited (Esther 4-5):

• Esther could have stayed safe in her position, but she chose to participate in the dangerous story of her people:
  • “If I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16).
  • She risked her privileged position to identify with those under threat of death. Her voluntary participation in their peril became their salvation.
  • Like Jesus, she stepped into the place of death to bring life to her people.

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Study Questions

Head Questions (Knowledge, Facts, Understanding)

1. Why did John the Baptist initially resist baptizing Jesus, and what does this reveal about the nature of John’s baptism? Explore how John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance and confession, and why this created a theological tension when the sinless Jesus requested it.
2. What does it mean that Jesus came to “fulfill all righteousness” through his baptism? Examine how Matthew uses the word “fulfill” throughout his gospel and how Jesus’ baptism represented a vicarious act of participation in humanity’s story that Israel could not complete on their own.
3. How does the Trinitarian authentication at Jesus’ baptism connect to Old Testament prophecies? Consider the opening of the heavens, the descent of the Spirit like a dove, and the Father’s declaration, connecting these elements to passages from Isaiah 42:1, Isaiah 11:1-2, Psalm 2:7, and Genesis 22:2.

Heart Questions (Feelings, Impressions, Desires)

1. When you consider that Jesus deliberately chose to identify with sinners at his baptism, how does this shape your understanding of God’s heart toward you? Reflect on what it means that Jesus “completely identified with us” and how this impacts your sense of acceptance and belonging in God’s family.
2. The sermon describes the Spirit’s power as “dove power”—gentle, approachable, and humble rather than harsh or forceful. How does this picture of modulated power challenge or comfort your understanding of how God works? Think about times when you’ve experienced or witnessed God’s gentle power versus harsh religious expressions, and how this affects your desire to represent Christ to others.
3. Pastor Nate emphasizes that salvation is “more than forgiveness—union!” with Christ. How does understanding salvation as union with Christ (being “in Christ”) rather than just forgiveness of sins stir your affections for God? Consider what it means to participate in Christ’s life, the Spirit’s anointing, and the Father’s delight, and how this deeper understanding moves your heart.

Hands Questions (Actions, Commitments, Decisions, Beliefs)

1. The sermon lists numerous realities available to those who are “in Christ” (redemption, no condemnation, freedom, new creation, etc.). Which of these truths do you need to actively believe and live out this week? Choose one or two specific ways you will walk in the reality of your union with Christ rather than living out of your old identity.
2. How can you cultivate “dove power” in your interactions with others—combining spiritual authority with gentleness, approachability, and humility? Identify specific relationships or situations where you need to exercise modulated power: speaking truth with gentleness, confronting with respect, or representing Christ as an ambassador of reconciliation rather than condemnation.
3. Pastor Nate teaches that through union with Christ, we “participate in the Father’s delight.” How will believing that you are delighted in by the Father change the way you approach your relationship with God this week? Consider practical ways you can live out of the Father’s approval rather than striving for it—perhaps in prayer, worship, service, or rest—and commit to one specific change in how you relate to God as a beloved child.