16. The Launching of Jesus' Ministry
Luke 3:21-22
Today we return to our study of the Gospel according to Luke. In our study thus far, we have seen God’s sovereignty in the prophecy of the birth of John the Baptist and the fulfillment of that prophecy. We saw the angel Gabriel announce to Mary, a virgin, that she would conceive and bear a son and He will be great and called the son of the Most High. After the fulfillment of that prophecy and the excitement surrounding the birth of Jesus we then jumped ahead a few years and found Jesus, about 12 years of age, in the Temple listening and asking questions of the teachers. We don't read of our Lord's teen years. In fact, after the temple event, Jesus lived in obscurity for another 18 years. There has been nothing to indicate to the people in Nazareth or the Jewish people that He is God in the flesh, the Messiah.
Our text today takes us to a time when Jesus is ready to launch His ministry to the public; at about 30 years of age. Our passage in Luke describes Him going down to the Jordan River to be baptized by John the Baptist. Jesus, perfect in every way, the Son of God, is being baptized. Why? Let's take a closer look at our passage and see what God would have us learn today from the events of Jesus’ baptism and the launching of His public ministry.
-Pastor Terry