The Story of Jesus - His Inauguration
Introduction
As we continue this morning to deal with the story of Jesus, the account of His life and ministry, we come to the first record of His adult life. Matthew 3, along with Mark 1 and Luke 3 reveals the day of Jesus’ baptism and what some have called His inauguration into public ministry.
In just a few days, on January 20, 2005, George W. Bush will be inaugurated for a second term as President of the United States. The inaugural tradition began when the Father of our Nation, George Washington, assumed the office of the presidency in 1789.
As G. S. Barrett said…
The baptism of Christ was, first of all, the public announcement and inauguration of Christ to His work. … The baptism closed our Lord’s private life and began His public ministry. He who had gone down into the water known to men as “the Son of Mary,” came up thence declared to be “the Son of God.” The baptism, with the opened heavens, and the Spirit descending like a dove, and abiding on Jesus, and the witness borne by the voice of God Himself, was the sublime inauguration of the Saviour of the world to His great mission. (From The Biblical Illustrator)
Just as a presidential inauguration sets the stage and lays the foundation for the presidential administration that is to come, there are elements in the passage before us that set the stage and lay the foundation for Jesus’ ministry, even as it is revealed in our Christian experience today.
I. Notice The Preparatory Ministry Of John (vs. 1-12)
(Matthew 3:3) For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
John was Christ’s forerunner, as the ploughman goes before the sower. Before good work can be expected, there must be excitement. The turf-bound surface of communities must be torn up, the compacted soil turned to the air and light. Upon the rough furrows, and not on the shorn lawn, is there hope for the seed.
(H. W. Beecher from The Biblical Illustrator)
A. John Had A Biblical Ministry That Prepared The Way Of The Lord vs. 1-3
1. His Ministry Was Focused On Biblical Preaching
(Matthew 3:1) In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
preaching – Greek 2784. kerusso, means to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel): -- proclaim, publish.
(Matthew 3:2) And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Cf. (Ezekiel 14:6) Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.
(Ezekiel 18:30) Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
2. His Ministry Was Fulfilling Biblical Prophecy
(Matthew 3:3) For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Cf. (Isaiah 40:3) The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
B. John Had A Baptizing Ministry That Prepared The Way Of The Lord vs. 5-6, 11
1. This Baptism Was Accompanied By A Confession
(Matthew 3:5-6) Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, {6} And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
confessing – Greek 1843. exomologeo, means to acknowledge or agree fully: -- profess, promise.
That those Jews submitted to being baptized was more than a little significant, because that was not a traditional Jewish ceremony. It was completely different from the Levitical washings, which consisted of washing the hands, feet, and head. The Essenes, a group of Jewish ascetics who lived on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea, practiced a type of ceremonial washing that more nearly resembled baptism. But both the Levitical and the Essene washings were repeated, those of the Essenes as much as several times a day or even hourly. They represented repeated purification for repeated sinning.
John’s washing, however, was one-time. The only one-time washing the Jews performed was for Gentiles, signifying their coming as outsiders into the true faith of Judaism. A Jew who submitted to such a rite demonstrated, in effect, that he was an outsider who sought entrance into the people of God – an amazing admission for a Jew. Members of God’s chosen race, descendants of Abraham, heirs of the covenant of Moses, came to John to be baptized like a Gentile! (John F. MacArthur, Jr.)
2. This Baptism Was Associated With A Change
(Matthew 3:11) I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
The baptism of John was not Christian, but Jewish. It was, however, especially a baptism “for repentance.”
(The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary)
What God means when He says “Repent.” It is not remorse, sorrow, conviction, but a change of mind. You want a great change before Christ comes. (J. Vaughan from The Biblical Illustrator)
C. John Had A Bold Ministry That Prepared The Way Of The Lord vs. 7-12
1. There Is A Bold Warning For The Condemned Ones
(Matthew 3:7-10) But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? {8} Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: {9} And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. {10} And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
In former days, when a military company was to be called out, the notice delivered to each of the members was called “ the warning.” An officer, who was a Christian, having given the warning to a young man, was playfully accosted by another young man, who was not a member of the company, with a question, “Have you not a warning for me too?” The officer replied, “Yes, I have a warning for you: I want you to flee from the wrath to come.” This unexpected reply proved an arrow from the Lord’s quiver, and to it the young man ascribes his conversion. (Anonymous from The Biblical Illustrator)
2. There Is A Bold Word For The Coming One
(Matthew 3:11-12) I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: {12} Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
(See Mark 1:9) There came a day when he left the familiar village and the carpenter’s shop. Perhaps he hugged his mother goodbye and said again, “I must be about my Father’s business.” And she knew, and this time she understood.
II. Notice The Public Manifestation Of Jesus (vs. 13-16)
This day has been described, not only as the inauguration of His public ministry, but as the coronation of His kingly majesty.
Though Matthew does not use the terms, we see in this passage what might be called the divine commissioning, or the coronation, of the King. The gospel writer has given us the King’s ancestry (1:1-17), His arrival (1:18-25), His adoration (2:1-12), His attestation (2:13-23), and His announcement (3:1-12). Now we see His anointing, His coronation.
There is something strikingly majestic about this great event that brings all the preceding events into focus. Here, for the first time, the Lord Jesus Christ comes fully onto the stage of the gospel story. Here is where His ministry and work truly begin. Everything before this, even those events which directly involved the young Jesus, were introductory and preparatory. Bethlehem, Egypt, and Nazareth are all behind. From this day on the Son of Man would call no place His earthly home (8:20), but was to move about fulfilling His mission.
(John F. MacArthur, Jr.)
A. There Is A Sinless Quality In His Manifestation
1. This Is Seen In John’s Proclamation Of Protest
(Matthew 3:13-14) Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. {14} But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
forbad – Greek 1254. diakoluo, means to hinder altogether, i.e. utterly prohibit: --forbid.
MacArthur says…
The Greek verb is in the imperfect tense and suggests a continued effort by John – “he kept trying to prevent Him.”
John resisted baptizing Jesus for exactly the opposite reason that he resisted baptizing the Pharisees and Sadducees. They were in great need of repentance but were unwilling to ask for it and gave no evidence of having it. John therefore refused to baptize them, calling them a “brood of vipers” (3:7). Jesus, by contrast, came for baptism, though He alone of all mankind had no need of repentance. John refused to baptize the Pharisees and Sadducees because they were totally unworthy of it. Now he was almost equally reluctant to baptize Jesus, because He was too worthy for it.
John’s attempt to prevent Jesus from being baptized is therefore a testimony to Jesus’ sinlessness. This prophet, of whom the Lord Himself said there had “not arisen anyone greater” (Matt. 11:11), knew that he himself was not sinless. I have need to be baptized by You, he told Jesus, and do You come to me? “I am only a prophet of God,” John was saying, “and I am sinful like everyone whom I baptize. But You are the Son of God and sinless. You are not a sinner. Why, then, do you ask me to baptize You?” (John F. MacArthur, Jr.)
2. This Is Seen In Jesus’ Praying Instead Of Penitence
(Matthew 3:6) And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
(Luke 3:21) Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
B. There Is A Submitted Quality In His Manifestation
1. He Had Submitted Himself To The Fulfillment Of What Was Proper
(Matthew 3:15) And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
becometh – to be suitable or proper
2. He Had Submitted Himself To The Father’s Plan
(Matthew 3:15) And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
Jesus came into the world to identify with men; and to identify with men is to identify with sin. … He who had no sin took His place among those who had no righteousness. He who was without sin submitted to a baptism for sinners. In this act the Savior of the world took His place among the sinners of the world. … There was no other way to fulfill all righteousness.
(2 Corinthians 5:21) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Jesus’ baptism not only was a symbol of His identity with sinners but was also a symbol of His death and resurrection, and therefore a prefigurement of Christian baptism. (John F. MacArthur, Jr.)
C. There Is A Spiritual Quality In His Manifestation
(Matthew 3:16) And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
1. There Was The View Of The Heavenly Sphere
The heavens open at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry to honor him, and at the end of it to receive him. Christ is the opener of heaven for all men. (J. W. McGarvey and Philip Pendleton from The Fourfold Gospel)
2. There Was The Visit Of The Holy Spirit
The confirming sign was that of a dove, the only instance in which the Holy Spirit was ever so represented. To the Jewish mind of that day the dove was associated with sacrifice. Bullocks were sacrificed by the rich and lambs by the middle class, but most of the people were poor and could only afford a dove. (John F. MacArthur, Jr.)
Noah’s dove bore the olive branch, the symbol of peace, and the Holy Spirit (as a dove) manifested Jesus, God’s olive branch of peace sent into this world. (J. W. McGarvey and Philip Pendleton from The Fourfold Gospel)
The last verse shows that, not only the forerunner, but also the Father was exalting Jesus.
III. Notice The Powerful Message Of Jehovah (vs. 17)
A. This Is The Father’s Affectionate Word For His Son
(Matthew 3:17) And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
1. Look At The Affectionate Claim “my”
(Psalms 2:7) I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
2. Look At The Affectionate Concept “beloved”
B. This Is The Father’s Approving Word For His Son
(Matthew 3:17) And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
well pleased – Greek 2106. eudokeo, meaning to think well of, i.e. approve.
1. We Have Here The Sentiment Of His Approval
2. We Have Here The Sanction Of His Approval
(Isaiah 42:1) Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
C. This Is The Father’s Abiding Word For His Son
It is repeated at the Transfiguration…
(Matthew 17:5) While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
1. There Is Continuing Acceptance For The Christ
2. There Is Continuing Acceptance For The Christian
(Ephesians 1:6) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Conclusion:
Estus Pirkle’s most enduring achievement has become his biography of Percy Ray. His legacy has become the life of another man.
This was John’s story.
(John 3:30) He must increase, but I must decrease.
May it also be our story. May we point to Jesus.