Introduction

Good morning, beloved family. As we gather here today, we are united by the same Spirit, the same faith, and the same hope. We are here to celebrate the goodness of our God, to seek His face, and to learn from His Word. Today, we are going to turn our hearts and minds towards the profound beauty of our baptism, the bewildering wilderness, and the bountiful blessings that are ours in Christ Jesus.

In Mark 1:9-15, we read, "At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: 'You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.' At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 'The time has come,' he said. 'The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!'"

And in 1 Peter 3:18-22, we find these words, "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him."

As we consider these passages, I am reminded of the words of the great preacher Charles Spurgeon, who once said, "I have a great need for Christ; I have a great Christ for my need." Isn't that the truth? Aren't we all in great need of Christ? And doesn't Christ, in His infinite grace and mercy, meet all our needs?

Baptismal Beginnings

When we consider the baptism of Jesus, we are struck by the profound significance of this event. Here is Jesus, the Son of God, submitting Himself to the ritual of baptism. He didn't need to be cleansed from sin, for He was sinless. Yet, He chose to be baptized as a way of identifying with us, with our need for cleansing and renewal. He was setting an example for us to follow, showing us the way of humility and obedience.

In the act of baptism, we see a beautiful picture of our salvation. Just as the waters of the Jordan River washed over Jesus, so the waters of baptism symbolize the washing away of our sins. When we are baptized, we are publicly declaring that we have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, that we have died to our old life of sin, and that we have been raised to new life in Christ.

In the baptism of Jesus, we also see the Trinity at work. The Son is being baptized, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father speaks from heaven, expressing His pleasure in His Son. This is a powerful reminder that our salvation is the work of the triune God. The Father planned it, the Son accomplished it, and the Spirit applies it.

Moreover, the baptism of Jesus marks the beginning of His public ministry. After His baptism, He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. He overcame these temptations, not by His divine power, but by the Word of God. This shows us that the Word of God is our weapon against temptation.

Bewildering Wilderness

As we continue to reflect on the experiences of Jesus, we find ourselves moving from the waters of the Jordan to the arid expanse of the wilderness ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO