When all the people were being baptised, Jesus was baptised too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”’ (Luke 3:21-22)
Main idea: Jesus’ baptism symbolised that He was going to die and rise for our salvation and our baptism speaks of our having died and risen to new life in Him.
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It seems strange that Jesus is baptised by John. John the Baptist agrees with me as Matthew records events:
‘Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, ‘I need to be baptised 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.’ (Matthew 3:13-15)
It seems odd that Jesus, who was without sin, underwent a rite that speaks of repentance and cleansing from sin! What’s this all about? Like Communion -taking bread and wine together- Baptism is an outward symbol that speaks and reminds us of deeper spiritual truths. Baptism, in the case of Christ, was a foretelling of His going down into death for our sin and His rising again. Jesus, at His baptism looks like all the other ‘sinners’ who were being baptised. At His death, He will also look like and become like a sinner.
Anyone who is baptised needs to understand that they are declaring that they have died to sin and have risen again to new life in Christ. Paul speaks of it in this way:
‘Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.’ (Romans 6:3-5)
Response
Jesus’ baptism symbolised that He was going to die and rise for our salvation and our baptism speaks of our having died and risen to new life in Him.
Understanding this is why it is so important to be baptised and to do so only when you are ready to repent and put your faith in Jesus.
COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY
1. NOTICES
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. ICEBREAKER
What has God been speaking to you about from His Word this week and how has this helped you / affected your life?
3. STUDY AND PRAY TOGETHER
Read Luke 3:1-38
What point is Luke trying to make in this passage?
What particularly struck you from Sunday's message?
What is promised in verses 1-6 and what should this produce in us?
How is repentance described in this passage and what does this teach us about what should happen in our lives when we are born again?
SIV - We are told that John's evangelistic ministry began as 'the word of the Lord came to [him]'. The word of the Lord has already come to us in the form of the gospel and The Great Commission. How can we become more radical like John?
SIV - What does this text tell us about our message?
SIV - How could you serve, invest and invite this week and let’s pray about this.
Prayer - How would you like prayer as a result of today’s study?