The Path to Life As Revealed by Jesus - Matthew 3:13-28

1. A Prayer for the People of God
God of grace and glory,
you call us to be your people, faithful and courageous.
As your beloved Son embraced his mission
in the waters of baptism,
inspire us with the fire of your Spirit
to join in his transforming work.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, who lives and reigns
with you and the Spirit, one God, now and ever.
Amen.

3. Matthew 3:13 -17
First SUNDAYAfter the EPIPHANY
David Zelenka (2005)

5. THE RIVER JORDAN
Recognized as the spot where John the Baptist baptized Jesus
Israel
Jordan

6. COVENANT RENEWAL
June, 2015

7. BaptismofChristIcon
OwenJamesDobson(2009)

8. St.John’sBible
DonaldJackson(2005)

9. St.John’sBible
DonaldJackson(2005)

10. PickUpYourCross&FollowMe
ScottErickson(NewIconsSeries)

11. TheBaptismofTheChrist
DanielBonnell

12. ~ The Bible Project ~

13. Then Jesus came from Galilee to John
at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.
John would have prevented him,
saying, “I need to be baptized by you,
and do you come to me?” 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.
Matthew 3:13-15

14. “Righteousness” here is a covenantal
word, pointing to a right relationship
that a covenant creates between two
parties. A covenant is a biblical way
of establishing a personal connection
that shapes our identity. (Jesus’ baptism
serves) as an example to others to
follow into a new kind
of covenant relationship with God.
Bob Rognlien

15. The baptism John offered symbolized
the washing away of the sins that
separated the people from God.
But there was a less obvious symbolism
present, too: the voluntary giving up
of one life to receive another.
Being immersed below the waters
was like death, and reemerging
was embracing the new life of a
covenant relationship with God.
Mike Breen

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. And a voice from heaven
said, “This is my Son, the Beloved,
with whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:16-17

18. The love of God
the Father poured
out on God the
Son, affirmed by
God the Spirit,
occurred before
Jesus did ANY of
his SAVING WORK
INVITATION

19. Following Jesus
cannot be done
by avoiding the
cross or the grave;
his pattern of life
is how life works:
life, death, burial,
resurrection, THEN
new life…
CHALLENGE

20. Matthew 3:13 -17
First SUNDAYAfter the EPIPHANY
David Zelenka (2005)

21. Benediction
Lord God,
you revealed your Son in the waters of the Jordan
and anointed him with the power of the Holy Spirit
to proclaim good news to all people.
Sanctify us by the same Spirit,
that we may proclaim the
healing power of the gospel
by acts of love in your name.
Amen.