By The Rev. Dr. Paul A. Leggett
Sunday, January 10, 2010 · Baptism of the Lord
Sermon Text: Matthew 3:13-17
Sermon Theme
Matthew begins his account of Jesus’ public ministry with two events which take place in the wilderness. The desert wilderness was highly symbolic for the people of Israel. The wilderness was a place of testing but also the place in which God was encountered. In the time of John the Baptist, Israel had lost it spiritual vitality. It was a dry period. John is tested by the fact that Jesus does not do what he expects. Yet God the Father declares that Jesus is his “Son, the Beloved.” None of this happens on the streets of Jerusalem or, much less, in the temple. It occurs in the desert. The life of discipleship begins in the wilderness and frequently has to return there. John the Baptist becomes a disciple in the desert. The same is true of us as well.
Sermon Outline
- Dry. When John the Baptist begins his ministry, Israel is once again subservient to an idolatrous nation. Many of the leaders of Israel tried to identify themselves in some way with the Roman rulers. Corruption became widespread. It is no wonder that John refers to these leaders as a “brood of vipers” (Matthew 3:7). Israel then was in a dry period spiritually. This can also be our experience both as individuals and as a community. We can slowly and steadily make peace with the world around us at the cost of growing in Christ. It is a common occurrence to experience dry spiritual periods (Psalm 42:9-10, II Chronicles 15:3). During these periods Scripture doesn’t excite us. Prayer seems empty. Church life can seem sterile. Yet it is at these times precisely that Jesus breaks in on us. It is in the dryness of the wilderness that we most often meet God (Exodus 19:1-4, Isaiah 40:3-5).
- Decisive. Jesus coming into the wilderness area of the Jordan is a decisive event. It calls for a definite decision. Matthew is emphasizing several motifs from Jesus’ birth. The Wise Men arrive in Jerusalem expecting to find Jesus there (Matthew 2:1-2). Jesus arrives at the Jordan to receive his commission (Matthew 3:13). None of these events are where we would expect to encounter Jesus. John thinks he should be baptized by Jesus, not the other way around (Matthew 3:14). Jesus is not what John expects. Jesus is not what anyone expects. John has to change his outlook in order to be with Jesus (Matthew 3:15). If we are to be Jesus’ disciples we have to be prepared to change our views, especially our views of what God requires (“righteousness,” Matthew 3:15). Jesus is the ultimate surprise. He amazes everyone (Matthew 8:27, 9:33, 12:23, 21:20, 22:22, 27:14).
- Direction. Jesus comes out of the water following his baptism and the heavens themselves open. The voice of God is heard proclaiming Jesus as “my Son, the Beloved” (Matthew 3:16, Psalm 2:7-8). Jesus cannot be imitated. He cannot be explained. He cannot be reduced to any human definition. The only one who can define Jesus is God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. Just as Israel received its identity in the wilderness so Jesus’ identity is confirmed in the wilderness (Exodus 19:7-11, Matthew 3:17). Elijah encounters the power of God in the desert (I Kings 18:36-39). The same is true of Jesus. Jesus is not found in the places of prestige and comfort. He is not in the religious centers. He does not make his home in Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37). If we are to encounter Jesus we have to start in the wilderness, in the desert of our lives. Jesus did not come to make us comfortable (Matthew 10:34-39). The desert is the place of testing (Exodus 16:4). In the desert we are cut off from our resources, our support and our control. We have to be prepared to enter the wilderness because it is here that God reveals Jesus to us (Matthew 11:7-15).
Questions for Us
- Why do you think God allows spiritual dry periods to come into our lives? What are some of the things that we do (or don't do) which can make our lives feel dry?
- What are some of the ways in which Jesus surprises us? Why do you think Jesus keeps doing things that are unexpected?
- What are some of the ways we find God testing us in the wilderness of our lives? Why do you think the theme of finding God in the desert is so central in Scripture? What does this mean for us?
