Sharper Iron — All Righteousness Fulfilled: Jesus’ Baptism and Ours

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Rev. David Vandercook, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in North Little Rock, AR and Shepherd of Peace Lutheran Church in Maumelle, AR, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 3:13-17.

Jesus’ Baptism stands as the beginning of His public ministry in Israel. At first, John tried to prevent Jesus’ baptism, thinking that Jesus had it backwards. John knew that he needed ministry from Jesus. Jesus’ response to John reveals the significance of the moment. Jesus was here acting within His humiliation for the sake of the salvation of sinners. He came to put Himself in the place of sinners, first at His Baptism and finally at His cross. His Baptism by John in the Jordan River, therefore, was fitting as a part of God’s actions to save sinners in His ministry. In this way, Jesus’ Baptism is not a Law that we must do, but Gospel that He does for us. The theophany that follows confirms this. Heaven opens as God makes Himself present. The Spirit descends on Jesus to equip Him for His work. The Father’s voice proclaims Jesus the beloved Son who has come to save sinners. Because of what Jesus has done for us starting at His Baptism and finding completion in His cross, the waters of our Baptism are made holy to wash away our sins and claim us as true children of God.

“All Righteousness Fulfilled” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that digs into the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims Jesus to Jews and Gentiles alike as the fulfillment of God’s saving words and acts throughout the Old Testament. As the Christ in the line of David and Abraham, Jesus is the promised King who comes to bring sinners from every nation to live under His gracious reign.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Image: The Rev. Pablo Dominguez, pastor of a Hispanic mission in the LCMS Central Illinois District, baptizes a young girl on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Beardstown, Ill. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford

Matthew 3:13-17

The Baptism of Jesus

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,[a] 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,[b] with whom I am well pleased.”

Footnotes:

Matthew 3:16 Some manuscripts omit to him

Matthew 3:17 Or my Son, my (or the) Beloved

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.