Why was Jesus there?

Welcome to OnMission.

Today we're looking at Jesus’ baptism. Why does Jesus approach John, and wade into the waters for baptism? Since Jesus is without sin, what lesson is revealed as He submits to receiving this baptism of repentance? As we follow Jesus down into the waters of the Jordan River we ask, why was Jesus there?

But first, as we turn to God’s Word, let’s begin in prayer:

Almighty God, our Father in Heaven:

Give us eyes that see, we need to know You.

Give us ears that hear, we need to hear Your Word.

Give us hearts that Love, transform us so we might Love as You Love.

Amen

Let's begin as we always do, by turning to God’s Word.

Today's readings are found in the Gospel given by God in Matthew chapter 3:1-3; 11-17 and John chapter 1:32-36.

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is He who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’”

… “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’

In John 1 we read:

Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” The next day...John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”

Earlier in this season of Epiphany, I mentioned that there are two moments in the life of Jesus that the Church traditionally ponders in this season. One is the visit of the magi - the other is Jesus’ baptism.

Today's reflection is entitled, why was Jesus there? [1]

It’s a fair question.

The Bible tells us that Jesus is divine - He is fully God, yet remains fully man.

The Bible tells us everything created was created through Jesus.

It tells us that Jesus is God’s anointed Christ; the Messiah promised to Israel and predicted by the prophets.

The Bible tells us that Jesus, God’s Messiah seeks out and redeems sinners - He covers and clothes them, wrapping and embracing them in His righteousness, and so bringing them home to God.

We could go on and on, but for now, here is one last thing the Bible says about Jesus: He is sinless.

So on the surface of it, this sinner’s baptism we read about in the Gospels seems rather strange.

John is there in the water offering the people of Israel a baptism for the confession and repentance of sin, and there is Jesus - sinless God - approaching John and seeking this same baptism!

Why is Jesus there?

He has no sin to confess, no need of repentance, transformation or restoration. So why is He there?

There’s a lot going on here. We don't have time to plunge too deeply into this baptism, so let me just give you a few quick thoughts; perhaps you can see them as guides or markers along a path for further examination.

Why was Jesus there? The first marker: Descension.

Just as Jesus stepped from His glory in Heaven, descending to earth, being born while clinging to nothing that is His by His nature and rights as God, we find Jesus today surrendering Himself yet again, sacrificing His majesty and dignity as He draws even closer to us, His beloved people.

In this descension we find the expression of God’s Love for us.

He came for the redemption of God’s people and the adoption of all that would receive Him into His righteousness - He came seeking us.

We will witness the vast extent of God’s Love in Jesus’ passion and crucifixion as the One who breathes Life and gives Life to the world descends even into the very depth of death.

Why was Jesus there? Affiliation.

Jesus is sinless, yet He so Loves the world that He freely lived among sinners and stands in empathy with us. He does not shy away from the horror or the ugliness of sin - instead He reaches out and embraces us - here we see the depths of His affinity for us. He Loves the unlovable.

Why is Jesus there? Intervention.

As our righteous champion He fights for us.

Like a parent who relentlessly searches the streets for a runaway son or daughter - a child lost to addiction and self-harm - He comes to us - seeking us immersed in the depravity and self-harm of our sin.

Like that parent who stands between their child and the evil they crave, enduring that evil as they fight to restore that child to health - Jesus stands with humanity and advocates and mediates and fights for us. He fights for His children lost and addicted in sin.

This is the righteous warrior breaking into this sin filled world to burst the chains of sin that bind us - this is the Saviour offering salvation to a rebellious unrighteous people.

Jesus approaches John not in need of a sinner’s baptism but to stand with helpless sinners addicted to sin and to lead them in the Way of righteousness. Is this humiliation? Yes. The sinless One is called a sinner because of this association with us. The sinless One is despised because He Loves.

Jesus knows you and I are helpless to help ourselves. So Jesus comes to where we are. Full of perfect Love, He embraces the plan for our redemption. No One forced Him into it. He accepted it - to be born into poverty and persecution - to be abused, ridiculed, abandoned, betrayed - to be murdered.

This is the plan of redemption – this is His intervention into our sin.

And just like that parent who upon finding their child in rags shivering in the cold, kneels and offers that child the warmth of their coat - Jesus kneels by each of us, in our sinful rags and He offers to wrap us and cover us and protect us in the robes of His righteousness.

Can you imagine it?

Immediately following His acceptance of this sinners’ baptism He confronts sin - the deceiver, the accuser, the satan attacks Him.

Jesus endures this barrage of sin and standing above all temptation, He turns to us, His beloved unrighteous people to teach us, to reveal the sin infecting us, to open our blind eyes and deaf ears and to offer us His healing Grace.

Why is Jesus there? Declaration.

This declaration is spoken and heard. As Jesus comes up out of the Jordan River the heavens open, God the Holy Spirit descends and God the Father speaks: “This is My Son… I AM well pleased.”

Here is the revelation of the Christ - the identification of God incarnate, descending and living among His people. This is the declaration that God is made flesh and God is dwelling among us and this declaration is spoken from the opened heavens by infinite eternal God.

There can be no doubt – the declaration is made – Jesus is God here with us offering us, a sinful rebellious people His peace.

There is so much more we might say here … but let me end with this.

As I read this text, I couldn’t help but see similarities with another story from when Jesus was about 12 years old. His parents couldn’t find Him. They searched and searched for Him and eventually found Him in the Temple. He was surrounded by elders and they were astonished by the wisdom of this young boy. His mother scolded Him. “Son, why have You treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.” Jesus answered her implied question - what are you doing, why are You here? -  with “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”[2]

Now, some 15 years later Jesus is approaching John, and John essentially asks the same thing, “Jesus, what are you doing? Why are you here?” And might well have answered, “Did you not expect I’d be about the Father’s work? I’ve come to fulfill all righteousness.”

Why is Jesus there seeking that baptism?

To fulfill all righteousness, He descends to affiliate with His beloved lost ones, to associate with our needs, to intervene for our good, and to declare the Gospel, revealing the Way of righteousness and restoration to God for any person willing to accept this good news. This is about salvation and restoration to the One who created us.

This is the work of righteousness Jesus accepted from the beginning - of course he went where sinners were confessing and repenting - where else would we expect to find our Savior?

Of course He would use this moment to reveal God’s glory and His Love for us - it’s why He came to us.

And of course He was declaring the Kingdom of God and revealing God to all who would seek Him. What else would we expect to find Him doing?

In this, as in every other moment between His conception and ascension He was about His Father’s business, fulfilling all righteousness, offering us His redemption and salvation.

That’s what Jesus was doing there. 

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son Jesus descended from Heaven’s glory to live and minister to us, whose coming revealed Your great Love and expressed Your desire that all people might turn from sin and live, give us a willing heart, mind and spirit – give us ears that hear Your Word; give us eyes that see, so might see, confession and repent of all that separates us from You.

We are Yours, save us.

We ask this in the mighty name of Jesus and by the power and authority of God the Holy Spirit working among us.

Amen

[1] Pastor Edwards first preached this sermon in Kyruba Tanzania in 2014 beside a muddy stream.

[2] New King James translation