The Baptism of Our Lord

January 9, 2000

"Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"Acts 19:2

Last Thursday, January 6th, was the Twelfth Day of Christmas, the Epiphany of Our Lord. ("Epiphany" means "showing" or "revealing.") Epiphany is the day we remember the Wise Men and their Gifts. In some respects it closes the Christmas Season.

But we Christians know that Christmas is never over. Christmas is not an ending, it is a beginning. Jesus needs to be shown not just to the wise men but to the whole world.

Mark's Gospel does not tell the Christmas story. We first meet Jesus as a young adult. With Mark, Jesus' showing, or his epiphany to the world, began with his baptism.

I. THE BAPTISM OF JESUS BY JOHN

Mark in his story of Jesus plunges right in . . . He starts with John, preaching repentance from sin in the wilderness of the Jordan. His message is rugged, like his appearance. Somehow this rugged message of repentance from sin, getting right with God strikes a chord with the hearts of seeking men and women. Mark tells us that the whole countryside, even as far as Jerusalem, came out to listen, to hear, and to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins.

Onto this scene of revival and repentance from sin comes the One– the only One– who was absolutely without the need for repentance or renewal. The only One who was intrinsically holy. The only One who could say "Who can convict Me of sin?" And what does this sinless One do? He gets in line with the sinners waiting to be baptized. And when his turn comes, even though John the Baptizer protests, Jesus is baptized.

WHY?

  1. Jesus was identifying with us. The pivotal event in all history was when God became a Baby and in Jesus took our flesh, our humanity as His own. (That is why we turned the calendar over last week to 2,000. Not when Jesus died, or even when he rose–vital as those are. But when he CAME!) )But as if that were not enough, now Jesus accepts our sins. 2 Corinthians 5:21 "For (God) hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
  2. Jesus was being obedient to the Father's Plan. In being the Sin-Bearer he also was pleasing to the Father.
  3. Jesus was gloriously affirmed by (1) the descent of the Holy Spirit, and (2) the Voice from Heaven "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."

That is the historical beginning of Jesus' ministry. Identifying with sinners. Obedient to the father's Plan. Affirmed by the Father in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

But that is not all "The Baptism of Jesus" means: Not just that Jesus himself was baptized, but that Jesus also had a baptism to give to others. Jesus Himself was a baptizer even more than John the Baptist. In our lesson John urges us not to forget that fact.

Here is the heart of our message today: Jesus was baptized by John so he could be one with us, and he came all the way to where we are. But Jesus baptizes us with his greater baptism so that we might be one with HIM, and take us into the very LIFE of God!

II. THE BAPTISM JESUS HIMSELF GIVES

The lesson in Acts 19 asks the question: "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" Remember in our Gospel lesson John the Baptist said, "I baptize you with water, but One is coming after me who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!"

The answer may surprise you! It is simpler and yet more profound and richer than we can fully grasp. It is one of the wonderful mysteries of our faith!

The first real baptism of the Holy Spirit came when the church was born after Jesus ascended to the Father. We call that Day "Pentecost" and it is recorded in the second chapter of Acts.

There was a lot of excitement that day. There were tongues of fire, and strange sounds and speaking in at least sixteen different languages so that everyone could hear the Good News. All the church that day was filled with the Holy Spirit.

But what about you and me? Do WE get to have the Holy Spirit in our lives as well? Can we share in this baptism of Jesus?

Absolutely! When we are baptized into Christ– when we are converted from selfishness and sin– when we confess that Jesus is Lord– at that moment we receive the Holy Spirit! (Cf Romans 10: 9,10) Paul also says (in Romans 8:9) "If we do not have the Spirit we are not Christ's!"

When we realize that Jesus is alive! He is risen from the dead! And when by the help of the Holy Spirit Himself we can say "Jesus is LORD!" it is a kairos moment! It is a change time! The baptism of LIFE by Jesus Himself is begun in our lives! THAT IS THE BAPTISM OF JESUS!

[Have YOU been born of the Spirit? Have you confess Jesus as your personal Lord? Do you know Jesus lives in your heart just now?]

Conclusion

BUT there is a difference in being alive, and in being abundantly alive! (John 10:10) Do you want to know how you can be sure you have both been baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit?

[ Unfortunately there are many complex answers to that question! Everyone is an expert in the Holy Spirit! Some say you have to "feel" something– or "speak a certain way" – or claim somebody's doctrine. But forgive me if I tell you I believe there is a very simple way: we ASK! ]

A "life verse" of mine is Luke 11:13. Jesus is teaching his disciples to pray. It is another version of what we call "The Lord's Prayer." But then Jesus tells us: "If you being evil know how to give good things to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask?!!"

We can have this baptism of Jesus. We can be filled, and keep on being filled. But we must ask. And we must be willing to empty our hands of stuff that might hinder us from coming really alive in Christ. Shall we pray?

Prayer

Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting.

O Father! Your Son who baptizes people with the Holy Spirit has told us that if we ask You, you will fill us with the Holy Spirit. We come for that filling again today. In Jesus' name. Amen

Will you share communion with me this morning?

Listen! God wants to tell us something about His purpose for us here! If we will listen, God will do a wonderful thing! I don't know about the future of this church. I don't know about my own future, or yours. But I know Someone who holds the future. We do not have to be afraid, for He is already there! So for these first few weeks as we get acquainted I ask you to join with me in listening! Step by Step He will lead us! I really believe that!

And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven torn open and the Spirit descend on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well-pleased." - Mark 1:4-13

O God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
O God You are my God
And I will ever praise You
And I will seek you in the morning
And I will learn to walk in your way
And step by step you'll lead me
And I will follow You all of my day.