January 2020 Messenger Newsletter

"This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."
(Matthew 3:17)

Baptism of Our Lord

John Baptizes Jesus

Mat 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.
Mat 3:14 John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
Mat 3:15 But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented.
Mat 3:16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.
Mat 3:17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."

NSRV & Believer's Study Bible (BSB) Notes

[Mat 3:13] The baptism of Jesus and the beginning of His public ministry may be dated c. A.D. 29. Some would date it earlier, around A.D. 27 (cf. Mark 1:9, note).

[Mat 3:16] (vv. 16, 17) The Trinity is seen in the presence of the Father in the audible blessing and assurance, in the submission of the Son to baptism, and in the Spirit's anointing of the Son for His role as Messiah. The voice from heaven (v. 17) alludes to Ps. 2:7, the coronation formula for the messianic King of Israel, and to Isa. 42:1, the ordination formula for Isaiah's Servant of the Lord. The passages combined indicate that Jesus' mission as the kingly Messiah would be realized in terms of the Suffering Servant (cf. Isa. 52:13-53:12). Jesus did not become the Son of God at His baptism, for this He was from the beginning (cf. John 1:1-18; Col. 1:13-20; Heb. 1:1-3). The divine voice only ratified and publicly proclaimed an already existing sonship, which conditioned both His message and task, for His kingdom is one of teaching, healing, humility, and sacrifice (8:17; 12:18-21; 20:28). Sonship is the basis for the Father's choice of Jesus to fulfill the role of Messiah. The roles of Son of God and Messiah are not synonymous, since Jesus' sonship precedes messiahship. Because He is Son, He does not become the Son; but as Son, He is tempted to decide what kind of Messiah He will become. More than filial consciousness is involved in Jesus' sonship; a supernatural and exclusive relationship exists between Father and Son, which even demons recognize at the beginning of His ministry (Mark 1:23-26; Luke 4:33-35).

NSRV & Believer's Study Bible (BSB) Notes

Readings for the week of January 19th
Second Sunday after Epiphany
First: Isaiah 49: 1-7
Psalm 40: 1-11
Second: 1 Corinthians 1: 1-9
Gospel: John 1: 29-42

Sunday Worship Services at 10:00am
Sunday School at 9:00am

Thursday Bible Study (Library) 10:30 am
Holy Communion Service (Sanctuary) Noon