Life of Christ Lesson 10

Introduction

Jesus’ Baptism

Looking into the Face of Jesus The Life of Christ, 1: Pages 103-105 Outline: Lesson Plan 10

1. The texts for this study: Matthew 3:13–17; Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21, 22; John 1:31–34.
2. Jesus is ready to begin His ministry.
3. Considerable time has passed as God has prepared for this beginning.
4. How old was Jesus when he started his ministry? At the very beginning of Luke’s genealogy, His age is given as “thirty years of age” (Luke 3:23).

1. The “How” of Jesus’ Baptism (Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21, 22; John 1:31–34)
   1. Read Matthew 3:13–17.
      1. Do you think John and Jesus had met before?
         1. It is probable that they did, perhaps during the feast days at Jerusalem.
         2. But we are not sure.
      2. This is what we know: John knew Jesus was not like all the others he was baptizing. Why?
   2. John at first refused to baptize Jesus (Matthew 3:14).
2. The “Why” of Jesus’ Baptism
   1. The negative reasons
      1. John’s baptism was for repentance; Jesus had no need to repent.
      2. John’s baptism was for the forgiveness of sins; Jesus had no need of forgiveness.
   2. So why was Jesus baptized?
   3. Read Matthew 3:15. The positive reasons
      1. John had a purpose in God’s plan, and Jesus wanted to be a part of that plan (see Luke 7:30).
      2. The baptism of John was from heaven (see Matthew 21:25). Jesus was going to be totally submissive to the Father’s will.
      3. To stay in connection with God’s plan and will; there was no question in Jesus’ mind whether or not He was going to be baptized by John.
3. The “When” of Jesus’ Baptism

A. What happened when Jesus came up out of the water? 1. The Holy Spirit descended upon Him as a dove. 2. God spoke (see Matthew 3:16, 17).

C. The three Persons of the Godhead
1. All three were present doing different things. 2. But they, together, constitute the One God.

Conclusion

D. John knew that Jesus was the Messiah. How? Notice John 1:33: “I did not recognize Him . . .”

1. John was told that the sign would be the Holy Spirit descending upon Him.
2. Think of the joy John must have felt when he saw that sign.
3. His cousin, Jesus, was the Messiah!

1. Jesus was baptized even when He did not have to be because it was God’s will and purpose.
2. If only we all had the same attitude about God’s will for us. ©Copyright, 2021 by Truth for Today ALL RIGHTS RESERVED