Third Sunday after Christmas: The Baptism of Jesus

Theme: At his baptism Jesus is revealed as Son of God

Text: Mark 1:4-11

Possible Focus
What is the significance of baptism in the church? What is its significance for persons as individuals who believe in Christ?

Context
Baptism is a determining force in the life of a Christian. It is something that we share in common and are bound together by it. Through baptism we are united with Christ’s death and resurrection and through Christ we are united with God.

Background of the Text
The intention of Mark in this section is to explicate that the Messiah is not only the bringer and the content of good news but the guarantor of its truth as well. This narrative opens with a quotation from (Mal. 3:1 and Isaiah. 40: 3), but for a particular reason Mark attributes all this to Isaiah. It is aimed to signify the significance of the prophet for understanding the origin of the Gospel. The quotation intends to make clear to its audience that the appearance of John and Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise of God to Israel. Just as God led Israel through wilderness, consequently the same Lord is now acting in the wilderness for the betterment of people. Here in this passage John does two fold proclamation, the first being the proclamation of “Baptism of the repentance of Sins” and the second was the proclamation of “the one coming after him (1:7-8).” But John’s main work was to prepare the way of Jesus or a messenger to proclaim the coming of Jesus. To highlight the superiority of Jesus over John, the reference of their baptism is brought in. John’s baptism was with water whereas Jesus’ was with the Holy Spirit (1:8). Jesus experiences the Holy Spirit at his baptism. This leads to the fulfillment of the prophesy of the prophets who anticipated the coming one as also pronounced by John himself. At his baptism he is named as Jesus, who comes from Nazareth of Galilee. In Jesus’ baptism the Holy Spirit descends as a Dove and divine voice is heard “you are my Son, the beloved.” Thus he is revealed as the son of God.

Key Verses
Vs 4 The message which John preached was baptism for the forgiveness of sins. It meant not only forgiveness and remission; but also freedom, deliverance, pardon and liberation. Vs 11 This verse accounts of a wonderful Trinitarian scene we see here, the Son of God rising from the waters of baptism, the Spirit of God descending on him like a dove, and God’s voice from heaven bearing witness of His love. It would have been impossible for Jesus to be revealed as the son of God without God and the Spirit being there.

Sermon Directions
The baptism of Jesus had a different motive, the motive being that to reveal Jesus as the Son of God to the world. In achieving this John the Baptist played a very important role. He acted as a forerunner to Lord Jesus (Jn.1:23). John the Baptist did three things that reveal that Jesus was the Son of God. Firstly, John prepared the way of the lord. He was to tell people that God was still active in the world. The baptism of Jesus marked the beginning of his ministry. John the Baptist tells people: Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world (Jn. 1:29). That is what he had come to do. John did this because from a long time there had been no prophetic voice in Israel. Therefore John’s job was to prepare people’s ears so that they could hear Jesus’ own message. The prophets Isaiah and Malachi, years before, had said that someone would come to do this, to prepare the way for God’s Messiah. Secondly, he himself didn’t became an obstacle in the prepared way. John the Baptist himself did not hinder the way of the lord. If John had wanted he would have been easily accepted as Messiah (Luke 3:15). Therefore he had no selfish ambitions. He preached Baptism of repentance
which was contrasted by himself saying that one after me will baptise with fire. His statement that I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thongs of his sandal attest that he was not hindering the coming of the Lord. Thirdly the baptism of Jesus by John revealed that he was the son of God. The appearance of the Holy Spirit and the voice from heaven at the baptism of Jesus signify that He is the Son of God. The Spirit of God is the breath of ‘life’ that Jesus possesses and now he is offering as ‘light’ to the whole world. Therefore, he was baptised to identify with the people. Because of our baptism we are all united in Jesus. That is why Paul in his letters makes statements like, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus”
(Gal 3:28). Therefore, all the stratifications among human beings are brought to an end through the sacrament of baptism. Prayer Points

• Strengthen us not to become self-centred, help us to become peoplecentred.
• God help us those who are baptised in Jesus’ name to exhibit the life of Jesus through the conduct of our life.
• Help us God and give us the strength to prepare the way for you through serving humanity.