Matthew 3:13-17
You are meeting someone new. What do you say? How best to make a meaningful connection? ‘Hi, my name is Chips Ross,’ I say. And then what? What do I want people to know about me? What do I want to know about them?
In Matthew 3:13-17, we get to meet Jesus and hear from Jesus. Previously, we’ve met Jesus when He was in the womb (Matthew 1) and then as a young child (Matthew 2). Now we get to meet Jesus as a full grown adult. What does Matthew want us to know about Jesus?
In 2 chapters, Matthew has presented that Jesus is:
- King, Son of David (see Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew 1:1-18; recognition by wise men in 2:1-12)
- Savior, who will save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21)
- Immanuel, or God with us (Matthew 1:23)
- Fulfillment of OT prophecy (Matthew 1:22-23; 2:5-6)
- Messiah, or Christ (Matthew 2:4)
- Worthy of our worship and giving (Matthew 2:2, 11)
We begin our story with the introduction of John the Baptist. He is the first prophet God is sent in 400 years! About 400 years ago, the pilgrims had landed in America (actually 1620). This is a long time, and so a large crowd is intrigued by this man speaking the word of God. His message is: repent! That is, Israel is not right with God; they must change, not just their external actions, but they must change their hearts (Matthew 3:1, 6, 8).
And now comes Jesus to the Jordan River to be baptized by John the Baptist. What will you learn about Jesus today?
The baptism of John the Baptist is not one of salvation, like many churches practice today. Instead, it is a baptism of confession and repentance of sin. It is seeking for God’s cleansing of hearts, and preparing the way to trust in God’s Messiah for salvation.
When Jesus comes, John’s first response is to refuse to baptize Jesus:
Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him.
But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
Matthew 3:13-14
To John, the reason is obvious. Jesus is God’s Messiah and has no sin to confess or repent of. If anything, John is not in the position to give baptism to Jesus, but instead, needs to be baptized by Jesus. Jesus is the one who saves, John recognizes. And now, for the first time, Jesus speaks:
But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him.
Matthew 3:15
Jesus understands John’s refusal. But says that it is to be permitted to fulfill all righteousness. Previously, Jesus fulfilled prophecy, but here He says to fulfill all righteousness. Jesus is committed to do that which is right in accordance to God’s standards, to be obedient. Or to use words that we will hear later, Jesus is committed not to doing His own will, but the will of His Heavenly Father.
What ought to come out very clearly in these verses is the righteousness of Jesus. First, that He is without sin; He does not need to be baptized by John to indicate His repentance, like any other man. Second, that Jesus Christ not only desires to be obedient to the righteous standard of God, but that He fulfills the righteous standard of God.
Because of this, Jesus can give the gift of salvation to all who believe in Him. He fulfills all righteousness to be your righteousness.
After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him,
Matthew 3:16
John did not sprinkle Jesus; Jesus didn’t just simply have His feet touch the edge of the Jordan River. This is complete immersion. So, as soon as Jesus comes up immediately from under the water, something happens. ‘Behold!’ catches our attention and causes to look away from Jesus to look at something else:
The heavens are opened, and down comes the Spirit of God, or as we more commonly refer to him as the Holy Spirit. He comes down as a dove and comes upon Jesus. Some have questioned whether there was an actual dove, or there was an appearance of something that flew like a dove. Luke makes it very clear that the Holy Spirit was manifested or shown as a dove. But the main point is that the Holy Spirit landed or lighted upon Jesus.
Again, we are confronted with the fact that Jesus is no ordinary individual. First, He is completely righteous and sinless. Second, He has a relationship with the Holy Spirit unlike any other human being
and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”
Matthew 3:17
Another behold causes our attention to shift away from God the Son and God the Holy Spirit back to the heavens and God the Father. His voice speaks His approval of His beloved Son.
In your first chance to meet and hear from Jesus, notice that all of the Tri-une God is involved. Jesus Christ is being baptized, the Holy Spirit is descending, and the Father is speaking.
What did you learn about Jesus? This was not intended to be a causal introduction. We are to think clearly and truly about Jesus. Not just a guy with a beard and a purple robe. Focus on who Jesus is. Repeat to yourself what you learn about Jesus as King, the pleasing, beloved Son of God, the One who is without sin and saves you from your sins. He is the answer to God’s promises!
Discussion Questions:
- What did you learn about Jesus from this passage?
- As you imagine this event happening, what are a few words to describe your reaction? Amazed? Humbled? Curious?
- Why is it important to you that Jesus fulfills all righteousness?
- God is well pleased with His beloved Son. How can God be well-pleased with you?