Dear Explorer,
Read Matthew 3:13-17
So, Jesus arrived and asked John the Baptizer to baptize Him. Why do you think John was reluctant to do so?
What was Jesus' reply to John's reluctance?
What does it mean “to fulfill all righteousness”?
I think it meant that John had been called by God to announce the arrival of the Messiah. Jesus had been instructed that today was the day for that to happen. Now Jesus was telling John the Baptizer, “Let's complete both of our assignments and let's get it right by being obedient!”
Let's take a sneak peek at a future passage that will better explain this. I think that John the Baptizer had grown up being told by his parents that Jesus was the Messiah – but He still needed that absolute confirmation from God that didn't come until he was obedient. Our obedience often leads to clarification and understanding.
Read John 1:32-34
Who was the One who sent John the Baptizer to preach and baptize? (review yesterday's study if you don't remember)
John the Baptizer was given a sign so that he would recognize the One that God had sent. What was the sign?
Read Mark 1:9-11
And
Read Luke 3:21-22
Besides the Spirit descending like a dove, what else happened when Jesus was baptized?
I wish I could have been there!
We've talked about John the Baptizer's baptism being to publicly show that you had repented from your sins and were going to change your behavior. But Jesus had never sinned! So, what was the purpose of Jesus' baptism?
Jesus baptism was done in order for John the Baptizer and God to announce the Messiah's arrival. It also announced the beginning of Jesus' ministry years.
In His service, dale
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