Anchor My Faith

John Baptized Jesus

Scripture: Mark 1:9; Luke 3:21; Matthew 3:13-15

With this lesson we begin a new section of narrative, which was constructed from three gospel accounts. That construction can be found here. To better understand the harmonization process, take a few minutes and check out the link above. On the worksheet, the circles with numbers gives the order in which the narrative was constructed.

We will begin by using only the first three words from Mark: “In those days” (Mark 1:9). From the worksheet you would have seen that Matthew started with “Then” and Luke with “Now.” Since Mark started with “In those days,” which was more descriptive, it was chosen for our narrative. “Those days” refer to the days John was preaching and baptizing. We learn this from Luke: “when all the people were baptized” (Luke 3:21 ESV). In those days when John was baptizing the people, something happened. What was it?

“. . . Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him” (Matthew 3:13). We don’t know for sure where Jesus was baptized. Different groups claim different locations. The location is not important, but the fact that Jesus came to be baptized. We also learn that Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to have John baptize him.

“John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”’ (Matthew 3:14 ESV). Knowing who Jesus was and that he was so much mightier than John, made John feel uncomfortable with this request of Jesus. John felt that Jesus should baptize him.

“But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented” (Matthew 3:15 ESV). Jesus being baptized by John, inaugurates his ministry that was prophesied through the Old Testament and which would continue through his death on the cross as the ransom paid for our sin. By being baptized by John, Jesus endorses John’s ministry and identifies with sinful people, not as a sinner, but one who will be the perfect sacrifice for their sin.

This baptism marks the beginning of what is expressed in 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.” When Jesus was baptized he “knew no sin” and would not sin during his lifetime, but on the cross our sin was laid on him and he became sin in our place, so that as believers in him and his finished work, we might take on his righteousness.

Prayer

Father, I pray for those who are taking this journey with me along this gospel path. I pray for your hand of blessing on them today. I pray for those who may be suffering is some way because of their walk with Jesus or because of some other kind of trial. For those who suffer for their faith, I pray for their encouragement that they would know that they are not alone, but are being lifted up in prayer. I pray for endurance for them that they can press on in the face of persecution. I pray for steadfastness of faith that they would not deny Jesus, who suffered and died for them. Father, as I pray for them, I pray for those of us who live in freedom, that we would stand with our brothers and sisters who live under persecution.