The Crowning of the King (Matthew 3:13-17)
The Crowning of the King
Matthew 3:13-17
The obvious title of this sermon would be “The Baptism of Jesus”,
After all, that is the incident that occurs in our text.
But when you really try to listen to what Matthew wants you to know,
It becomes evident that when Matthew records the baptism of Jesus,
He has a different event in mind.
Matthew has already recorded:
• The Genealogy of the King (both physical and spiritual)
• The Birth of the King
• The Announcement of the King
And the next obvious step is THE CROWNING OF THE KING
This incident is deliberately used by Matthew
To make yet another strong point that Jesus is God’s king
And therefore you must submit your life to Him.
There are four points we learn about Jesus from this text.
#1 JESUS WAS RIGHTEOUS
Matthew 3:13-14
Last week when we read what we said was a very peculiar statement.
(3:7) “When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism…”
We said it was extremely strange that the Pharisees and Sadducees
Would come together to see John,
And even stranger that they would come wanting to be baptized.
That was a statement that just didn’t seem to make sense.
But that statement crumbles in comparison
To the peculiarity of the statement we read here.
(13) “Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him.”
While it was strange to see the Pharisees inquire about baptism,
It was not entirely impossible.
After all, they did need it, it was just doubtful that they actually thought so.
But this scene is literally mind boggling.
Here we have John preaching a solid message of repentance,
And then baptizing people as a sign of that repentance.
By accepting John’s baptism, you were saying:
Either an unclean Jew needing to be washed clean
Or a Gentile seeking to enter the Jewish faith
The point is,
While sinners did need repentance and the subsequent baptism,
It was still ONLY sinners that needed it.
And then we see this.
“Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him.”
As Matthew Henry put it:
“Does the holy Jesus, that is separated from sinners, come to be baptized by a sinner, as a sinner, and among sinners?”
It really seems quite strange doesn’t it?
It obviously seemed strange to John.
(14) “But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
“prevent” translates DIAKOLUEN
KOLUO means to “hinder, restrain, withhold, forbid”
DIA is a prefix that intensifies it.
The verb is in the imperfect tense which suggests a continued effort.
I tell you all this because I want you to know what John was doing.
He was really trying hard to keep Jesus from being baptized
And he kept trying over and over.
John has made up his mind.
NOW AT THIS POINT, LET ME ASK YOU
WHY JOHN WOULD THINK THIS WAY?
You say, “Well that’s obvious, John knew who Jesus was. John knew that Jesus was the Son of God. John knew that Jesus was the Messiah. And so John knew He didn’t need baptism.”
But let me correct that thought.
John did not know that Jesus was the Messiah yet.
John 1:29-34 “The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! “This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ “I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. “I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”
DID YOU CATCH WHAT JOHN SAID?
I didn’t know Jesus was the Messiah until after I saw the dove.
I didn’t know Jesus was the Son of God until after I heard God’s voice.
So that brings us back to our question.
WHY WOULDN’T JOHN BAPTIZE JESUS THEN?
There are two reasons and both are fairly obvious.
1) Jesus’ apparent righteousness
2) John’s extreme humility
John didn’t know that Jesus was the Messiah,
But John did know that he had never seen another Jew
As righteous as Jesus.
John had made a living recognizing sin.
John had made an occupation of rebuking sinners.
• He could spot greed in the Centurions.
• He could spot hypocrisy in the Pharisees.
• He could spot self-righteousness in the Sadducees.
John knew what sin looked like,
And he knew that he had never seen any in Jesus.
Remember, Jesus and John were related,
And while they did not grow up together,
It is obvious John knew who He was and that He was better than himself.
I find this to be an absolutely amazing revelation to us by John.
Many times people claim Jesus was sinless
Simply because they first believe He is the Messiah.
In other words, Someone told you that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, and because you chose to believe that you also chose to believe that Jesus was sinless.
But John was just the opposite.
John didn’t believe Jesus was sinless
Because he first believed Him to be the Messiah.
John believed Jesus was the Messiah
Because he first believed Him to be sinless.
THIS WAS AN UNBIASED EVALUATION
John had seen His life and here on the Jordan, surrounded by sinners John was willing to recognize One who had no flaws.
In fact, John had finally found the One more righteous than himself,
And so John saw an opportunity to be baptized.
Jesus was righteous, absolutely without sin.
John saw it.
But it wasn’t just John.
The Thief
Luke 23:40-41 “But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? “And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”
The Jews
John 10:31-33 “The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.”
Pilate and Herod
Luke 23:13-15 “Pilate summoned the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one who incites the people to rebellion, and behold, having examined Him before you, I have found no guilt in this man regarding the charges which you make against Him. “No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and behold, nothing deserving death has been done by Him.”
That is why the writer of Hebrews said:
Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”
The point is that Jesus is and was absolutely righteous.
John knew that before he knew anything else about him.
Jesus was righteous
#2 JESUS WAS OBEDIENT
Matthew 3:15
And so at this point, we know why John didn’t want to baptize Jesus,
But we still don’t know why Jesus wanted to be baptized.
If He was sinless…
If He didn’t need repentance…
Then why be baptized?
That is precisely the answer Jesus gives to John.
(15) “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”
Let me first draw your attention to the main desire of Jesus.
His main aim was “to fulfill all righteousness”
(Obviously this has always been His goal, that is why John could spot no sin in Him.)
It was the goal of Jesus to be perfect in absolutely every regard.
John 4:34 “Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.”
John 5:30 “I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
John 8:29 “And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.”
Jesus was not a man only interested in doing just enough.
He was a Man who wanted perfection.
He is not asking “which ones” as the rich young ruler did,
Jesus wants to know them all so that He can obey them all.
He is passionate about obedience.
And that is also the reason He is being baptized.
John’s baptism was from God.
John’s baptism was the intention of God for every human.
And therefore it was impossible to keep all of God’s commands
If He neglected baptism.
That is why Jesus said, “IN THIS WAY it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”
God has ordained this method as important,
And therefore I must submit to it as well.
This is Jesus being obedient to the Father in everything.
It is no different than:
Jesus taking the Passover, even though He was the Passover Lamb.
Jesus attending the synagogue even though He was the incarnate Word.
Jesus going to the temple even though He was God.
Jesus paying the temple tax even though it was all His already.
He didn’t get baptized because He was sinful
Or because He was trying to make Himself right with God.
He was baptized because God required it
And He desired to be obedient.
(This is also the reason for our baptism)
Furthermore Jesus was setting an example for all of us.
Matthew 17:24-27 “When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?” When Peter said, “From strangers,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are exempt. “However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me.”
Jesus desired baptism because He desired to be obedient.
It wasn’t a matter of need, it was a matter of obedience.
“Then he permitted Him.”
Even John the Baptist understood simple obedience.
• The commands of God don’t have to make sense to a person who desires to obey.
• The commands of God don’t have to be pleasing, or logical, or convenient, or easy to a person who desires to obey.
A person who desires to obey just wants to know what the command is, all the reasons are left up to God.
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”
That was the heart of Jesus.
God commanded it, so I am doing it.
And John consented.
What we see is that not only was Jesus extremely righteous,
But we also see WHY He was extremely righteous.
He was righteous because He was passionate about obedience.
Let us remember in our quest to be Holy
That holiness is the consequence of obedience.
Jesus was Righteous, Jesus was Obedient
#3 JESUS WAS ANNOINTED
Matthew 3:16
Here we actually have the coronation.
“After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him,”
Luke 3:22 “and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”
This was a literal dove, only it was actually the Holy Spirit.
He was descending upon Jesus.
This was His anointing
This was His coronation
John 1:33-34 “I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”
This was the designated sign of God that the King had arrived.
John knew that One was coming after Him,
But He didn’t know exactly how far.
But on this day John knew that the King had arrived.
Jesus was crowned King.
Not by men, but by God
Psalms 2:6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”
Acts 2:36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ — this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Isaiah 9:6-7 “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.”
Isaiah 61:1-3 “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”
Jesus is God’s King
He was anointed King by God
And at this point in studying Matthew’s gospel:
• If the genealogy didn’t do it for you…
• If the wise men didn’t do it for you…
• If the fulfilled prophecies haven’t done it for you…
• If the herald hasn’t done it for you…
THEN CERTAINLY HIS CORONATION SHOULD BE ENOUGH PROOF
Jesus has just been crowned by the Father, He is the King.
All that is left is to surrender to the King.
Jesus is Righteous, Jesus is Obedient, Jesus is the King
#4 JESUS IS ACCEPTABLE
Matthew 3:17
As if the anointing of the Holy Spirit had not been enough,
We find one more great indicator.
It is time for the final member of the trinity to make His presence known.
We have already seen The Son & The Holy Spirit
Now it is time for The Father
“and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”
Now we have no doubts why John was convinced
That Jesus was the Son of God.
God Himself said it from heaven.
But that isn’t all God said.
“in whom I am well-pleased.”
This statement means the world to us as believers in Jesus.
We know that we must find a sacrifice that is suitable to God
As a payment for our sins.
The Old Testament was filled with the slaughter of lambs and rams
And doves, and yet people were still in sin.
(That’s why John was here baptizing)
Hebrews 10:4 “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”
And so up to date there was never another living thing
That was acceptable to God to pay for sin.
Until now
1 Peter 1:18-19 “knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”
After years of looking upon man and goat and sheep and bull,
God finally spotted One that He would accept.
It is absolutely essential to the Christian faith
That God uttered these amazing words!
Jesus was perfect and so Jesus was acceptable.
Jesus was righteous and so Jesus was acceptable.
Jesus was obedient and so Jesus was acceptable.
And let me take you just a little deeper here for a moment this morning.
TURN TO: HEBREWS 10:1-10
First we see the futility of normal religion
(READ 1-4)
Every Jew should have understood this.
But it is at this point that the writer of Hebrews opens their eyes
To a truth they have not previously seen.
He preaches an Old Testament text. (Psalms 40:6-8)
His text
(READ 5-7)
Like any good preacher, after reading the text he explains it
His explanation
(READ 8-9)
His explanation is simple.
He points out that God has never desired sacrifices and offerings.
They have never worked.
All God ever wanted from His people was righteousness.
“You shall be Holy for I am Holy”
The sacrifices were instituted because the people weren’t holy,
Not because God wanted sacrifices.
And so when Jesus arrived He didn’t focus on raising sheep,
WHAT DID HE FOCUS ON?
Obedience. “I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL”
(that is what we just saw at His baptism)
And then the preacher says
(9) “He takes away the first to establish the second.”
In other words Jesus puts things back in their proper place.
He put obedience back in the forefront as the priority.
Now (READ 10)
“By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
• It was because Jesus sought to do His Father’s will that He was righteous.
• It was because Jesus elevated personal obedience above sacrifice that He pleased the Father.
Because He pleased the Father He became an acceptable sacrifice for sin
That is what we just learned at His baptism.
He was willing to obey.
Even when it seemed unnecessary
Even when others tried to discourage Him
He still obeyed and because of that God was pleased with Him.
And that is what makes Him an acceptable sacrifice for sin.
HE IS ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE HE WAS OBEDIENT
And that not only makes Him king,
But also the only possible Savior there is.
There is no other way for you to be forgiven before Holy God
Than to submit to His King and to trust in His Savior.
Your sin has already offended God
To a degree that you are in a pit of despair,
Your only hope is that One be righteous
And that the righteous One be willing to pay your debt.
That is precisely who Jesus is.
Because He was obedient, even in the little things,
He became the acceptable king and the only sacrifice for sin.
Acts 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
This morning I invite you to surrender your life to the King.
Repent of your sin
Let go of your life
Run to Jesus
Believe that He was sinless
Believe that He died on the cross for your sin
Believe that His sacrifice was acceptable to God
Ask Him to come and forgive your sin,
And to change your life, and to make you His.
He will do it.
He is the Righteous, Obedient, Acceptable King!
Matthew 16:24-25 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
