This is the Son of God - John 1:29-34
Intro. It is worth noting, that so far in this first chapter there have been many names of our Lord revealed. The Word, the Light, Jesus Christ, only begotten Son, and the Christ are in the first 28 verses. In our text tonight, there are two more names.
I. The Act of Preparation - vs. 31 The Baptism of Jesus - Matthew, Mark and Luke record the baptism of Christ. John does not, he records the confession of John at a time after the baptism. But the baptism is implied here, and is important to note.
Baptism is a physical act representing internal cleansing. Now a man in camel's hair is preaching against the organized legalism of the day and calling for them to repent.
John was instructed to Baptize.
A. A Baptism of Preparation of the Heart - the Confession of Sin - Mt. 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, 6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. A repentance, a turning from the corrupt idea that religion could save, was necessary. In vs. 7 of the same chapter, John the Baptist called the Pharisees and Sadducees a "generation of vipers." A generation of evil.
B. A Baptism of Preparation for the King - John knew his baptism was only a bridge, the forerunning. Mt. 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
1. Confession and Repentance
2. Being fit for the arrival of the King.
II. The Affirmation of Christ's Deity - vs. 32-34
Many would ask why Christ was baptized. Christ had not sinned. He had no need of repentance.
A. The Prevention of John - Mt. 3:13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
1. He had been given proof of Christ's Authenticity as the Messiah
2. He knew the Lord was Sinless (I need to be baptized of you.)
B. The Persuasion of Christ - Mt. 3:15 - to fulfill righteousness - That is, Christ was saying to establish that which is righteous - Jesus established this ordinance.
1. Jesus would be baptized to set the ordinance of obedience to His followers
(Just like the Lord's supper)
2. Jesus would be baptized to show the express proofs from heaven
Mt. 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
3. Jesus would be baptized to signify the entrance of His ministry
The ministry of Christ was US. In baptism, he identified Himself with sinners.
By baptism, He did begin his earthly ministry - but it showed His eternal ministry - He identified with sinners to save.
4. Jesus would be baptized to symbolize His own death, burial and resurrection that would come.
And though John the Baptist tried to persuade him otherwise, Jesus followed through with the plan of God.
C. The Proof at the Baptism
1. There was an Earthly relation
- Mary and Elisabeth (John's mother) were cousins, probably on their mother's side. Mary went to see her after she was expecting with Christ. But we have no proof Christ and John grew up together.
- They could have met at a meeting in Jerusalem, but no proof.
- But John declared - Twice - "I knew him not" or I did not know he was the Messiah.
2. There was an Exact revelation - John had been told by God - vs. 33
- Jesus was proven with signs and wonders to be the Messiah at His baptism.
- The baptism was the ultimate sign - John would know that Christ was the Messiah.
- John believed Christ was above him, even before he baptized him,
but the descending of the Holy Ghost upon Christ was the proof of His being the Messiah.
III. I. The Appearance of the Lamb - vs. 29, 34 - The Declaration
A. The Sacrifice for Redemption - vs. 29 - Jesus is not called by the name, "Lamb of God" in the other Gospels. Only in this declaration by John the Baptist.
1. It is a Declaration of God's Intentions - everyone knew that for a Lamb to be used for atonement, that Lamb had to die.
2. It was a Declaration of God's Intervention
- Genesis 3:10 - Man had sinned, and even clothed himself, but when he heard God walking in the garden - "I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself."
A CLOTHED SINNER IS STILL NAKED BEFORE GOD. NOTHING IS HIDDEN - WORKS, SELF BETTERMENT, WILL NOT SAVE.
- And there was a sacrifice - Gen 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
- Abel's sacrifice - Ge 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: A Lamb.
- Abraham's Sacrifice - Ge 22:8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. Is it any wonder that Jesus declared that Joh 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. God provided the "ram" or male lamb.
- Adequate Sacrifice Ex. 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
- Atoning Sacrifice - The first time the word "atonement" is used is in Exodus 29, and a ram is sacrificed for initial atonement of the Aarronic priesthood.
Other sacrifices would now be added and all typify Christ.
Bullock - the sacrifice of strength, could also typify a Servant
Turtle doves - the offering of the poor, showing Christ died for all.
Lamb - the SUBSTITUTE - the first born did not die.
All sacrifices represent Christ, and John the Baptist declared Christ as the Lamb for He is the SUBSTITUTE that fulfills all other sacrifices.
When you accept Christ, the fulfillment of the Law, death will PASSOVER you.
All the sacrifices, and their provisions began with a LAMB.
And all hope, and the sacrifice that fulfilled the Law - ended with a LAMB.
The Lamb had come - Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
Through Him we can be redeemed - 1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
All of this pointed to ONE CLEAR TRUTH:
B. The Supernatural Revelation -vs. 34 - I know this is the Lamb. Chapter one is the only place in this Gospel Jesus is called the Lamb. From this point on, He is called the Son of God.
The testimony of John the Baptist. THIS IS THE SON OF GOD.
He did not see him any longer as the son of Joseph, but the Son of God.
Concl. Jesus was baptized as a testimony that he was the King. He was the answer to the one crying in the wilderness.
Disclaimer: A man once told me that if it is true, it is not new. If it is new, it is not true. We all know there is nothing new under the sun. With that said, I glean ideas for my sermons from God’s Word, my own work, and then I refer to many other sources. Any similarity to my sermons and others, where credit is not given, is either coincidental, or an unintentional mistake on my part. As none of us have a corner on the wisdom and teaching of God’s Word, it is my desire that any of my outlines be an encouragement, a help, and hopefully a motivation for others to preach God’s Word clearly. Please feel free to use any portion of my sermons if they can be of help to you and your ministry. I purposely include a skeleton outline, and not my full text, for this purpose. It is all for His Glory.
