The Baptism of Jesus
Luke 3:15-22
October 13, 2024
We know little about the ministry of John the Baptist; we only have one sermon (really, just one line from a sermon — “be baptized for the forgiveness of sins”). Yet, for all the limited information about him, he was an important person. He came from humble beginnings, living in the desert/wilderness and eating locusts and honey, but what he did was influential. While the world didn’t have this view of him (and Herod certainly didn’t), Jesus said this of him:
“…What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? “But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who are splendidly clothed and live in luxury are found in royal palaces! “But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and one who is more than a prophet.
This is the one about whom it is written,
‘Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’
I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John…” (Luke 7:24-28; NASB)
So John was not powerful or wealthy or well-positioned. But he was great. And significant. And humble. We also know John lived for the glory of Christ. He lived to exalt Christ above all things. In the apostle John’s gospel, John the Baptist says, “He must increase. I must decrease” (Jn. 3:30). It’s all about the exaltation of Christ, of pointing people to Christ, of being satisfied in and helping others be satisfied in Christ. And we see that exaltation of Christ in John’s preaching ministry and in his first (and only) recorded direct interaction with Jesus in Luke 3. In this passage, we learn…
Christ is superior to all things and all people. Desire Him. Live for Him.
The Gospel of Luke is all about the Jesus Christ as the Son of Man — the King from Heaven who will reign on David’s throne. And even before Jesus’ ministry begins, Luke has been demonstrating the significance of Christ and the superiority of Christ. And here we see His superiority again. In this account of John’s baptizing ministry and the baptism of Jesus we find that four aspects of Christ’s superiority…
- Christ is Superior because of the Baptism He Gives (vv. 15-16)
- Christ is Superior because of the Judgment He Dispenses (v. 17)
- Christ is Superior because of the Sin He Exposes (vv. 18-20)
- Christ is Superior because of the Baptism He Receives (vv. 21-22)
Download the rest of this sermon on Luke 3:15-22.
The audio will be posted on the GBC website by Tuesday.
Words of Grace 