Fulfilling All Righteousness

Casey Gray

Teachings of Jesus in Matthew • Sermon • Submitted 7 years ago

Matthew 3:13–17

Fulfillment of Prophecy

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Understanding why Jesus was baptized and what He was teaching us.

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Israel Comes to the Jordan

The Message of Matthew The Baptism of Jesus (3:13–17)

Jews in their hundreds were taking the unprecedented step of following John into the waters of the Jordan, confessing national and personal sins, and calling on God to cleanse them and make them fit for his kingdom. Not since the days of Ezra, and perhaps not even then, had there been such a national turning towards God. The time was ripe, and Jesus came forward to join others in the waters of baptism.

John comes when everyone was coming to be baptized. Not in a hidden way, but in a way that all would see Him.

Matthew 3:1–12 ESV

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’ ” Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

John 3:1-1

John 3:1–12 ESV

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

John was telling people to be baptized after confessing their sins (v. 2). It was meant to be performed by those who are repenting of their sins(v. 11). The effect of this baptism was preparation for the kingdom of heaven that was at hand (v. 1) and fleeing from the wrath to come (v. 7).

Numbers 4 ESV

1 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 2 “Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their clans and their fathers’ houses, 3 from thirty years old up to fifty years old, all who can come on duty, to do the work in the tent of meeting. 4 This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting: the most holy things. 5 When the camp is to set out, Aaron and his sons shall go in and take down the veil of the screen and cover the ark of the testimony with it. 6 Then they shall put on it a covering of goatskin and spread on top of that a cloth all of blue, and shall put in its poles. 7 And over the table of the bread of the Presence they shall spread a cloth of blue and put on it the plates, the dishes for incense, the bowls, and the flagons for the drink offering; the regular showbread also shall be on it. 8 Then they shall spread over them a cloth of scarlet and cover the same with a covering of goatskin, and shall put in its poles. 9 And they shall take a cloth of blue and cover the lampstand for the light, with its lamps, its tongs, its trays, and all the vessels for oil with which it is supplied. 10 And they shall put it with all its utensils in a covering of goatskin and put it on the carrying frame. 11 And over the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue and cover it with a covering of goatskin, and shall put in its poles. 12 And they shall take all the vessels of the service that are used in the sanctuary and put them in a cloth of blue and cover them with a covering of goatskin and put them on the carrying frame. 13 And they shall take away the ashes from the altar and spread a purple cloth over it. 14 And they shall put on it all the utensils of the altar, which are used for the service there, the fire pans, the forks, the shovels, and the basins, all the utensils of the altar; and they shall spread on it a covering of goatskin, and shall put in its poles. 15 And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, as the camp sets out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry these, but they must not touch the holy things, lest they die. These are the things of the tent of meeting that the sons of Kohath are to carry. 16 “And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall have charge of the oil for the light, the fragrant incense, the regular grain offering, and the anointing oil, with the oversight of the whole tabernacle and all that is in it, of the sanctuary and its vessels.” 17 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 18 “Let not the tribe of the clans of the Kohathites be destroyed from among the Levites, 19 but deal thus with them, that they may live and not die when they come near to the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in and appoint them each to his task and to his burden, 20 but they shall not go in to look on the holy things even for a moment, lest they die.” 21 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 22 “Take a census of the sons of Gershon also, by their fathers’ houses and by their clans. 23 From thirty years old up to fifty years old, you shall list them, all who can come to do duty, to do service in the tent of meeting. 24 This is the service of the clans of the Gershonites, in serving and bearing burdens: 25 they shall carry the curtains of the tabernacle and the tent of meeting with its covering and the covering of goatskin that is on top of it and the screen for the entrance of the tent of meeting 26 and the hangings of the court and the screen for the entrance of the gate of the court that is around the tabernacle and the altar, and their cords and all the equipment for their service. And they shall do all that needs to be done with regard to them. 27 All the service of the sons of the Gershonites shall be at the command of Aaron and his sons, in all that they are to carry and in all that they have to do. And you shall assign to their charge all that they are to carry. 28 This is the service of the clans of the sons of the Gershonites in the tent of meeting, and their guard duty is to be under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. 29 “As for the sons of Merari, you shall list them by their clans and their fathers’ houses. 30 From thirty years old up to fifty years old, you shall list them, everyone who can come on duty, to do the service of the tent of meeting. 31 And this is what they are charged to carry, as the whole of their service in the tent of meeting: the frames of the tabernacle, with its bars, pillars, and bases, 32 and the pillars around the court with their bases, pegs, and cords, with all their equipment and all their accessories. And you shall list by name the objects that they are required to carry. 33 This is the service of the clans of the sons of Merari, the whole of their service in the tent of meeting, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.” 34 And Moses and Aaron and the chiefs of the congregation listed the sons of the Kohathites, by their clans and their fathers’ houses, 35 from thirty years old up to fifty years old, everyone who could come on duty, for service in the tent of meeting; 36 and those listed by clans were 2,750. 37 This was the list of the clans of the Kohathites, all who served in the tent of meeting, whom Moses and Aaron listed according to the commandment of the Lord by Moses. 38 Those listed of the sons of Gershon, by their clans and their fathers’ houses, 39 from thirty years old up to fifty years old, everyone who could come on duty for service in the tent of meeting— 40 those listed by their clans and their fathers’ houses were 2,630. 41 This was the list of the clans of the sons of Gershon, all who served in the tent of meeting, whom Moses and Aaron listed according to the commandment of the Lord. 42 Those listed of the clans of the sons of Merari, by their clans and their fathers’ houses, 43 from thirty years old up to fifty years old, everyone who could come on duty, for service in the tent of meeting— 44 those listed by clans were 3,200. 45 This was the list of the clans of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron listed according to the commandment of the Lord by Moses. 46 All those who were listed of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron and the chiefs of Israel listed, by their clans and their fathers’ houses, 47 from thirty years old up to fifty years old, everyone who could come to do the service of ministry and the service of bearing burdens in the tent of meeting, 48 those listed were 8,580. 49 According to the commandment of the Lord through Moses they were listed, each one with his task of serving or carrying. Thus they were listed by him, as the Lord commanded Moses.

Num 4

Mark is more specific…

Mark 1:4 ESV

John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Mark 1:

John says that the baptism is with water for repentance in order for God to forgive sins at this point in time, but there is a greater baptism coming which will include the power and gift of the Holy Spirit for some and the torment of fire for others.

He tells those who were not truly willing to confess sins or repent to make a Huge change if they wanted to take part in the kingdom of heaven that is at hand.

We can see at this point the beginning of something. God’s people are turning to Him and this prophet is telling them that it is time for you to reach the true promise land. It is time for you to begin eating and drinking the spiritual food and drink that come from God. It is time for you to become spiritually pure in heart and have a heart that desires your God.

Jesus Enters the Scene

It was at this time, with a great number of people coming to John, that Jesus decides to come out of irrelevant Nazareth to be seen by all as the Messiah. After some 30 years of walking on this earth as God incarnate.

Matthew 3:13–15 ESV

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.

13-1

John 1:29 ESV

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Jesus stands before John and John recognizes that this is the one whose sandals he is unfit to strap and Jesus wants John to baptize Him. How could John be the one who baptizes the Messiah of Israel? Everyone was coming to John to get baptized in order to be ready for THIS MESSIAH! He is the lamb of God as John, the apostle records John saying.

He tells the Pharisees they needed to repent in order to get away from the baptism of fire that they have to look forward to and rejects baptizing them until they get rid of the notion that they are sinless. Now he is faced with a new problem. Here Jesus stands before Him completely clean and not needing any forgiveness.

This begs the question

Why did Jesus come to be baptized at all? He didn’t need to do it in order to make His sin known. He had none. There are multiple possible answers to this question. The most obvious answer is found in the text. This was a means of fulfilling all righteousness.

Fulfillment

What could this have fulfilled? Did God command the Messiah to be baptized somewhere in the OT? You can search, but you won’t find it. Here Jesus comes forward like any other man on the earth and is immersed in water. He rises up out of the water and BEHOLD...

Isaiah 42:1–4 ESV

Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.

Isaiah 42:1 ESV

Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.

Isaiah 42:2 ESV

He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street;

The Spirit rests upon Him.

Matthew 3:16–17 ESV

And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

The Son acts as a Servant. The fact that Jesus obeyed the cry of the prophet to be baptized in preparation for the kingdom of heaven. Obeying the command of God demonstrated a willingness to be joined to the other people and to submit to the will of God. Jesus took on the role of a servant in this very first official act!

Here we see the man who knows He is God submitting to be like everyone of the lost sinners of Israel. He acts in a way that no man would act who is to one day lead the nations

Teaching

What are we supposed to learn from what Jesus says to John? Is it important?

The very first act of His adult life is recorded in all 4 gospels. It is always preceded by John preaching and recognizing who He is because all of this

From this one act we see Jesus make two profound statements.

1. I am here to serve God

Jesus didn’t come down to this earth to be glorified by men. His life’s work didn’t revolve around how people would perceive Him. This is seen also in the Isaiah text.

Isaiah 42:1–2 ESV

Isaiah 42:1–4 ESV

God delights in the man who is here to serve Him faithfully not serve himself.

Jesus makes the statement that He is no better than any other man even though He is greater than any man to walk the earth. You can’t get from that a mentality that usurps God’s glory and God’s greatness. There is no way!

That’s i exactly what the Jews were often found doing.

Romans 2:6–11 ESV

He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality.

God is Very Important!

I am here to serve God in this life. We must devote our time here on this earth to doing the things that He will be pleased with.

The baptism of fire is not a joke as we noticed last week with the rich man in torment begging for a drop of water.

If I am a servant of someone, how would he or she feel if I decide to go off and serve someone else or what if I go up to their bed and take a nap? How would they feel about that? You can see the problem there. What if I act like the ruler of the house and start bossing the other servants around? What if I listen to the master’s instructions and do some form of those instructions, but I do it my way.

Jesus didn’t get sprinkled on the head. Jesus didn’t wait until there was no one else around or try to baptize Himself. He didn’t say, baptism is just an outward showing of an inward faith so God knows how much I love Him and I don’t have to do this right now.

You don’t take your master’s patience for granted.

Romans 2:2–5 ESV

We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

Romans 2:2–4 ESV

You put your master first. If you get together with your fellow servants, you better be talking about the work you can do for Him. You better not presume on the riches of His kindness by living for yourself!

God doesn’t like to be taken for granted.

HE’s GOD! He made you! He holds every molecule together by the word of His power! This is not religion. This is reality!

Nothing will give you more satisfaction than fulfilling your role to glorify God with this life.

2. I Must Serve the Needs of Others

Jesus knows His purpose for entering into the ministry which is exactly what we have learned about this morning. He is here to be the lamb of God for you and me. He came to John so that we could all hear his testimony about who the Messiah is.

Whatever opportunity comes up in your life, think about how that opportunity can result in the needs of those around you being met. Your brethren need boldness, encouragement, prayers, attention, help!

If Jesus was willing to come down here and serve us, we must be willing to serve the needs of each other.

1 John 3:11–15 ESV

For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

1 john 3 11-

1 John 3:16–18 ESV

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

This one act of Jesus is teaching John what kind of person Jesus as He fulfills all righteousness through fulfilling the command of God in prophesy.

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