The baptism of our Lord Jesus

Sermon by Rev. Rong-Hu Lu, translated by Joshua Lin

主耶穌受洗

The Baptism of our Lord Jesus

路加福音 3; 15-17 , 21-22

Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22

The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

兩個星期前我們曾學習 探討 主耶穌人生中的一個大轉淚點, 那就是在他12 歲的那年, 他不只正式的成為宗教信仰上的法律之子, 他也清楚的意識到他與創造天地之主, 至高的上帝之間有一個特殊的, 獨一, 的關係 – 他就是那位至高者的兒子. 他告訴 他地上的父母 他當以 他在天上的父 的事為重.

Two weeks ago, we learned and discussed Jesus’ life. One of the turning points occurred when Jesus was twelve. At that time Jesus not only officially became the master of our faith, but also came to understand his special, unique relationship with the Lord, the creator of the world, and he is the Son of the Lord. Then Jesus told his earthly parents that he must start doing the work for his heavenly Father.

我們也學到主耶穌的這個自覺並没有使他自高自傲. 他繼續謙卑地順服他在地上的父母. 因此嬴得了世人與上帝對他的喜悅.

We also learned that Jesus did not become arrogant after understanding his role. Instead, he continued the humble service to his earthly parents. Consequently Jesus received high praise from the Lord and everyone.

從那個令人震撼的自覺與宣言之後 18 年的時間已經過去. 他孝順地幫助父母, 扶養弟妹. 這18年間他是否忘了自己是天父之子當以天父之事為重 ? 我們相信没有.

After hearing the voice from heaven and having the self revelation, eighteen (18) years elapsed. Jesus continued serving his earthly parents and caring for his siblings. Does anyone think Jesus might forget that his role as the son of God and his awaiting tasks? No, Jesus did not forget.

我們相信他是在盡一份做為人的兒子, 做為兄長的義務. 我們也再相信他是在等待一個從天父來的「清楚的指令」.

Jesus was serving his responsibility as his parents’ son and his siblings’ brother. More importantly Jesus was waiting for the next command from the Lord.

施洗者約翰所發起的信仰復興大運動使舉國的廣大民众紛紛悔罪, 以領災受水的洗禮來表達他們離棄罪惡歸向上帝的决心.

At the time, John the Baptist started a wave of faith renaissance and led many people to repentance. Many of them decided to receive baptism to signify their resolves to stay away from sins and to return to the Lord.

這個復興運動對主耶穌來說是上帝給他的清楚的指令 – 是他出來事奉的時候了.

施洗者約翰的宣佈「（那位）隨尾我來的比我卡有權能, 他的鞋我亦不堪得提 , 他要用聖靈及火給你們施洗.」路 3; 11

This renaissance also showed a clear command from the Lord to Jesus. It was a sign for Jesus to start his ministry. In Luke 3:16, John the Baptist declared "But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."

這句話更是印証了耶穌該出來了的時間性. 約翰好像在說「我己經替你開了路, 預備了人心, 是你出來宣揚福音的時候了.」因此耶穌就告別了父母, 弟妹, 鄉里, 來到約旦河畔, 眾人領洗聚集聽道的地方.

The statement from John the Baptism further indicated that it was time for Jesus to start his ministry. John the Baptist was saying that he was merely a pioneer for Jesus and was just preparing people’s hearts for the gospel of Jesus. After receiving his command, Jesus bid goodbyes to his parents, siblings and neighbors and arrived at the shore of Jordan River. This is the place where everyone congregated, received baptism and listened to John the Baptist’s sermon.

接下來的事 是主耶穌生涯的第二個轉淚點. 主耶穌以從約翰領洗 來開始他的事工.

The events followed was another turning point in Jesus’ life. Jesus started his ministry after receiving baptism from John the Baptist.

為什麼主耶穌要從約翰領洗呢? 難道他不知道約翰的洗 是代表離罪歸神的洗禮嗎? 難道他不知自己是上帝的 獨生子, 是全然無罪的嗎? 難道他不知道自己遠比約翰偉大嗎? 約翰不是自己承認 不配替他提鞋嗎?

Why did Jesus need to receive baptism from John the Baptist? Didn’t Jesus know that baptism from John the Baptist signify the separation from sins and return to the Lord? Didn’t Jesus know that he is the only son of the Lord and has no sin? Didn’t Jesus know that he is far greater and more powerful than John the Baptist? Didn’t John the Baptist even admit himself that he is not worthy to untie Jesus’ sandals?

為什麼耶穌要向從約翰領洗. 以往天主教有個觧釋; 他們說耶穌那樣做是要讓他的母親馬利亞歡喜. 我自己並不同意.

So why did Jesus receive baptism from John the Baptist? Traditional Catholic teaching had an interpretation about the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. The interpretation was that Jesus’ baptism was to cheer up his mother, Mary. I personally disagree with this interpretation.

我認為主耶穌看到有那麽多人嚮應這個復興運動, 表達回歸上帝的決心，就毅然决然加入他們的行列, 認同他們的决志. 就約翰領洗.

Personally I believed Jesus witnessed a renaissance showing so many people longed for the Lord and Jesus decided to join the renaissance to acknowledge their fortitude and the baptism by John the Baptist.

約翰也認為耶穌不需從他領洗, 應該是他從耶穌領洗才對. 馬太 3: 14 節中他向耶穌說 : I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me? 主耶穌回答說 :

Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness. ( NIV )

目前就這樣做吧! 因為履行各樣的好事（義）, 對你我來說是合宜的事。

As we can learn from the Bible, John the Baptist also did not think Jesus needed to receive baptism from him. Instead, John the Baptist should receive the baptism from Jesus. As we learned from Matthew 3:14: John tried to deter Jesus, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" In Matthew 3:15, Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness."

現代中文譯本 : 我們暫且這樣做吧, 因為這樣做 就是實行了上帝的要求。

Or we can learn from the Contemporary English version, Matthew 3:15, Jesus answered, "For now this is how it should be, because we must do all that God wants us to do."

不管主耶穌的受洗是要讓母親喜歡, 或是認同離罪歸回上帝的心靈復興運動, 或是做合宜並對大眾有益的事, 或是深知領洗是上帝的要求, 都跟耶穌是「有罪」

需要悔改無關. 主耶穌是全然無罪, 聖潔, 的上帝的獨生子.

Regardless of the intention of Jesus’ baptism, whether it was to please his mom, or to acknowledge the spiritual renaissance, or to fulfill the righteousness, or to do all what the Lord commanded, it did not have anything to do with Jesus’ sin. Jesus was without sin, was holy, and the only son of the Lord.

主耶穌領洗後, 聖經說「他祈禱」. 主耶穌謙卑地以世人的模式祈禱.

一個領洗 決志歸回上帝的人 當然要馬上求上帝引導他 此後的路程（生涯）.

After being baptized, the scriptures stated that Jesus prayed just like everyone. In a humble manner, Jesus prayed. When a baptized person decided to follow the Lord, this person should typically pray for the Lord’s guidance and for his life.

決志歸回上帝的人若不會, 也没有這樣祈禱的話 那豈不是表示他照樣我行我素, 一切由自己做主嗎？列位 你常常求上帝引導你每日以及將來的路程嗎？

If a person decides to follow the Lord but does not have such intention, he would not pray for the Lord’s guidance. Such a person would just resume the old way of his life and follow his own wills. Everyone, do you often pray for the Lord to guide your daily life and your future?

主耶穌做為一個世人, 他一定是那樣祈禱, 求他的天父引導他的事工. 他也得到了他的天父 - 上帝- 的回答.

When Jesus was with us as a man, he definitely prayed for the Lord to guide his ministry. And Jesus received the reply from the heavenly Father.

上帝開天, 從天上回答說, 「你是我疼之子, 我喜歡你. 」

兄弟姊妹, 這話聽在我們的耳朵, 我們的了解 是上帝在向 主耶穌及世人

見証 耶穌確確實實是祂的兒子. 上帝愛他, 歡喜他.

In Luke 3:22, we learned that a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." Dear brothers and sisters, these words make us understand that the Lord told everyone that Jesus is really the son of the Lord. God loves him and is pleased with him.

但是那句話聽在主耶穌的耳中却有不同的意思. 那句話規範了主耶穌的事工與生命。

However, the same sentence brought another meaning to Jesus. The voice from heaven brought formality to Jesus’ ministry and life.

主耶穌對舊約的熟悉與正確的了觧是我們常常在福音書中讀到的. 主耶穌知道上半句的「你是我所疼之子」的出處是在詩篇二章七節

你是我的子我今日生你. 你求我, 我就將列邦給你做基業,

將地的盡頭給你做產業.

Jesus’ understanding and knowledge of the Old Testament was demonstrated throughout the books of gospels. For example, Jesus knows the sentence “you are my son” from Luke 3:22 is from Psalm 2:7–8.

I will proclaim the decree of the LORD :

He said to me, "You are my Son;

today I have become your Father.

Ask of me,

and I will make the nations your inheritance,

the ends of the earth your possession.

這是( 詩篇第二篇 ) 彌賽亞的預言篇. 在這句話中主耶穌清楚的聽到他的天父設立他做祂的百姓的君王與救主.

Psalm 2 contains the prophecies of messiah. This sentence made Jesus clearly understand that the heavenly Father wanted him to be the people’s king and savior.

主耶穌也知道下半句的「我歡喜你 - in whom I am well pleased.」是出自以賽亞 42章一節: 看哪, 我的奴僕 – 我所扶持的, 我所揀選的, 我的心所歡喜的 ！

我將我的靈給他. 他要將公理傳給外邦。

Jesus also know the second sentence “whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” of Luke 3:22 is from Isaiah 42:1.

"Here is my servant, whom I uphold,

my chosen one in whom I delight;

I will put my Spirit on him

and he will bring justice to the nations.

認真讀經的人都知道 那些論及耶和華的僕人的經文由此開始到五十三章為最高峯。那裡論到這位奴僕的死是 : 担當咱的憂悶, 背咱的苦痛.

他是為着咱的過失受傷, 為着咱的罪過受害.

他擔當刑罰. 咱得着平安 ; 他受鞭打, 咱得着舉好, V.4-5

………………………….

耶和華使咱眾人的罪都歸在他身上. V6……………………

耶和華樂意（歡喜）損害他, 使他受苦. 他的生命做贖罪的祭.V10

For those who have read much of the Bible, many verses about the Servant of the Lord started at Isaiah 42 and reached its peak at Isaiah 53. In Isaiah 53, the death of the Servant was described. For example, excerpts from Isaiah 53:4–5 are,

Surely he took up our infirmities

and carried our sorrows,

yet we considered him stricken by God,

smitten by him, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,

and by his wounds we are healed.

In Isaiah 53:6 is

The LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

In Isaiah 53:10 is

Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer,

and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering,

he will see his offspring and prolong his days,

and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.

深知這些經文的主耶穌聽到他天父的這句話, 他立刻知道那是天父對他的祈禱的指示 ;

3) 你是米赛亞, 是我的選民的君王. 但是你的治理之道不是管轄, 不是高舉你的榮耀.

4) 你是我揀選的受苦之僕. 你的道路是朝向十架之路. 你要担當刑罰使人得平安. 你要受鞭打使人得舉治.

你的生命要做贖罪的祭.

Jesus knew all of these passages. So when he heard the voice from heaven as described in Luke 3:12, he instantly knew that the Lord was giving him guidance in response to his prayer. The Lord was telling Jesus that he is the messiah, God’s chosen king for people. However, Jesus was not to rule over the world with mankind’s management and did not brag about all the honors he received. Instead, Jesus was the chosen servant of the Lord and was destined for the cross. Jesus would not only take up our infirmities and carry our sorrow, but also be pierced and crushed so that Jesus can bring us peace and cleanse our sins.

兄弟姊妹, 主耶穌領受的洗不是一般悔改, 歸向上帝的洗禮. 因為他不需要那麼做.

他的洗是請示( 籍着祈禱) 與領命的洗禮.

Dear brothers and sisters, Jesus got baptized was not an ordinary act of repentance or following the Lord because Jesus did not need baptism. The baptism for Jesus signifies the starting point of Jesus’ ministry.

在上帝向他說話的那瞬間他一生的藍圖就交在他手中. 他欣然接受, 忠實履行.

When the Lord talked to Jesus, Jesus received the blueprint for the rest of his life. And Jesus accepted his mission and faithfully carried out his duty.

縱觀整本約翰福音, 我們再三再四聽到主耶穌说 : 我自己決不說什麼, 做什麼. 我父叫我說什麼, 我就說什麼！ 我父叫我做什麼, 我就做什麼！

Going through the Book of John, we would keep reading a statement from Jesus similar to the following: “I myself can say nothing and do nothing. Whatever my heavenly Father tells me to say, I say. Whatever my heavenly Father tells me to do, I do.”

兄弟姊妹, 在我們自己所接受的洗禮中, 我們告白主耶穌從撒旦, 從死亡中救贖我們.

我們宣告耶穌是用自己的鮮血換取我們的生命. 祂是我們生命的主人, 擁有一切的控制管理權. 我們向祂請示過如何過每一天的生活嗎？

Dear brothers and sisters, when we went through our baptism, we declared that Jesus would deliver us from Satan and save us from death. We declared that Jesus sacrificed his bloods in exchange for our eternal life and Jesus is our Lord in charge of everything. But have we been praying for and following his guidance in our everyday life?

祂白紙寫黑字地在聖經上留給你, 也留給我生活的藍圖, 你對照過嗎？履行幾%？

在探討主的洗禮時願你,我也反省自己所受的洗禮. Amen

Have we been reading Jesus’ teaching in the Bible and applying Jesus’ teaching in our daily lives? How seriously are we about following Jesus’ teaching? As we discussed about Jesus’ baptism today, let’s also reflect on our baptism.

Amen.