Fulfilling All Righteousness :: Matthew 3:13-17

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[Introduction]

There are not many events in the ministry of Jesus that are more striking ... more defining ... than the Baptism of Our Lord. That’s because Baptism of Jesus shows us who God is. As Matthew writes, after receiving baptism, Jesus immediately went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending, as if a dove, upon him, and behold, a voice out of heaven saying, This One is My Son, the Beloved One, in whom I delight (vv 16-17).

Though he had become one with mankind when he was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary ... though Simeon recognized that he had seen God’s salvation when he held Jesus in his arms ... we would not have known ... nor could we have known ... who he really was until this moment, his baptism. 

Not even John the Baptizer, who leapt in his mother’s womb when he heard the greeting of the mother of God (Lk 1:41), knew who Jesus was until he saw the Trinity in Unity and Unity in Trinity in the Baptism of our Lord. As he testified in the Gospel of John: I myself did not recognize him. However, the one who sent me to baptize in water, He said to me, ‘The One you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon, He is The One who is to baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen, and I have borne witness: ‘This One is the Son of God.’ ... ... Behold, He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (Jn 1:33-34, 36). 

1. So why then did Jesus come from Galilee to the Jordan toward John in order to receive a baptism of repentance (v 13)? 

The reason WE are baptized ... the reason WE return to baptism every day ... is baptism works the forgiveness of sins, rescues us from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this. It gives us the righteousness of faith. 

Yet, Jesus has never needed any of that. Jesus is the True God Incarnate. Jesus is Immanuel ... God with Us. Jesus is sinless. Jesus had no need of faith. Jesus had no need of contrition. Jesus has no need of repentance. Jesus has no need for forgiveness. Jesus is righteous. 

It’s just like YHWH told us through Isaiah ... Jesus is the Chosen One. He ... is Israel. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will bring forth justice to the nations (Is 42:1). 

2. Jesus received baptism because we are the ones who lack righteousness. 

We do not fear, love and trust in God all the time. We do not pray, praise, and give thanks all the time. We despise preaching and the Word of Christ. We don’t like someone having authority over us. We are haters, who are immoral, liars, cheaters, thieves pursuing our desires. Apart from Christ, we are not in a right relationship with God. In other words, we lack righteousness.

So thank God that the Word has fulfilled all righteousness in the water of baptism. Now, when our sins accuse us, we who are baptized receive from God great comfort and strength. As Peter teaches us, Baptism now saves us. Baptism is a gift of God. It cleanses our conscience.

To be baptized is to be baptized ... not by men ... not by our dedication ... not by our determination ... but by God himself, in his name. He entered the water of baptism first, staking his honor, his name, his power, in the water he sanctified. Whereas John the Baptizer would have prevented Jesus from being baptized, saying, and questioning, I, myself, have need to be baptized by you, and you come to me? ... Jesus responded by saying, ‘Permit it now for in this way it’s proper for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then, [John] permitted it (vv 14-15). 

3. In his baptism, Jesus creates a right relationship with us. 

He makes us righteous. He who knew no sin took our sin upon himself in baptism. As Paul says, being found in human form, God humbled himself in this way, taking on the form of a servant, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Now when we receive the sacraments, notably Holy Baptism today, all of our sin that brings death is washed away, and God delivers to us the very righteousness of Jesus, for as Jeremiah (23:6) says, The Lord is Our Righteousness. Jesus has cleansed us by the washing of water with his word of righteousness. 

Our sins are therefore gone ... erased ... remitted. Through his water, He took our sin upon himself and carried it to his cross, where he was crucified. Your death became his death. And because he is risen ... ... He has set you into a right relationship with God ... he has made you righteous and given you new life. Christ has fulfilled all righteousness in baptism. 

4. The Christian life, therefore, is a life of returning to baptism, living in righteousness.

Which brings us to one of the great joys of our life together. Today, Zander and Easton Loney confirm the faith given to them in baptism ... renouncing the devil, his work, and his ways ... confessing the faith given them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As they do this, remind yourselves of your own confirmation and the very vows you not only made then, but continue to make today together. 

As their confirmation verses from Genesis 17:1 and Psalm 25:2 remind us, now we can walk before him blamelessly, trusting in him alone, so that we are not put to shame. The power, work, profit, fruit, and purpose of Baptism makes this possible for all of you. 

[Conclusion]

Now consider your calling and attend the Divine Service with a clean conscience. God has clothed us in robes of righteousness to wear to the Supper. He has set us free to be people of God. Don’t stop rejoicing together with these sons of the congregation who have become a delight to God through baptism, who have united with our confession of the faith, and who receive the gifts Christ freely gives through his means of grace. 

Even when doubts about our relationship with God arise in our hearts ... even when we face temptation to deny who God has called us to be ... even when you don’t think you need to receive the truth ... we can remember to say ... I am baptized! The righteousness of Christ is mine. 

Let us, therefore, walk with Jesus, hearing the Word of God regularly, not despising his Divine Service, not despising his preaching and his Word, but faithfully receiving his Supper every Lord’s day, steadfastly suffering all, even death, rather than falling away ... in Jesus’ name.

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