The Baptism of Jesus: Identity and Assignment, Matthew 3:13-17; Isaiah 42:6-9

 Earlier this year I was given the opportunity to preach on Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist. The key thought of the sermon was simple: Identity comes before assignment. What God says is more important than any other word. Below are the notes for my sermon. The material comes from my own research and from others who have treated this topic. I hope this is a blessing to you! 

Baptism of the Lord Sunday (January 11, 2026)

The Baptism of Jesus: Identity and Assignment, Matthew 3:13-17; Isaiah 42:6-9 (supplementary—Acts 10:34-43; Psalm 29)

Jesus’ baptism marks the beginning of God’s kingdom on earth. This story reminds us that God provides our identity and from that identity God gives us our call. Identity comes before assignment. What God says is more important than any other word. We have to know who we are in order to accomplish best the service to which God calls us.

Introduction: On the first day of school, a parent walks their child to the door. The child is nervous—new teacher, new classmates, unfamiliar hallways. Before the child steps inside, the parent kneels down, looks her in the eye, and says something like this: “Remember who you are. I love you. I’m proud of you. You’ve got this.” The child doesn’t yet know the schedule, the expectations, or what challenges might come. But she walks in carrying something far more important: She knows she is loved.

Something similar happens at the baptism of Jesus. Before Jesus preaches a sermon. Before he heals a sick person. Before he casts out a demon. Before he walks the road to the cross. Before he begins his “official” ministry.

God speaks. God calls him “beloved.”

Baptism of the Lord Sunday invites us to stand with Jesus at the Jordan River and to listen—to hear who Jesus is, and to remember who we are. This story reflects a conflict of cultures between how God sees things and how humans often respond to those things. For now, let’s recognize that at Jesus’ Baptism, God speaks. What God says is more important than any word. More than a parent’s affirmation, more than a spouse’s declaration of love, more even than the kind words of a friend—God’s speech reveals who we are and directs us to what we should do. What God says is more important than any word.

Read Matthew 3:13-17. Let’s address the hard question. Why is Jesus baptized? Baptism is about washing your sins away—but Jesus had no sin! John the Baptist had said, “I baptize with water for repentance”—but Jesus didn’t need to repent! Why would Jesus receive baptism? The answer in Matthew’s narrative is: Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of what God had promised. He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He did it for us. His baptism was God ordained.

Two things happen at Jesus’ baptism: God made a claim, and God issued a call. At Jesus’ baptism, the kingdom of God invades the earth, and when God shows up, people respond. Let’s see some responses to this event in Matthew.

Point 1) The first response is identity. Jesus identifies with sinners even though he is sinless (note John’s question—“I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”). John’s baptism was a call to repentance because “the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Many people came out of a sincere desire to produce fruit of repentance because of their sins. Jesus identifies with those who come to God honestly, and God declares that Jesus is his beloved. God claims Jesus, and in Jesus he claims us. Are we willing to be his people?

Jesus identifies with sinners, but God declares Jesus to be his “beloved son.” In Isaiah 42:1, 4 (read), God identifies Jesus as his servant, his chosen one, the one through whom justice/righteousness comes to the earth. This servant is upheld by God, chosen by God, and—this is important—delighted in by God. God does not merely tolerate his servant. God does not reluctantly approve. God delights in him. He is favored by God!

This favored servant brings justice not by crushing the weak, but by preserving them (even identifying with them!). God’s salvation comes gently, faithfully, patiently. God’s holiness does not trample wounded people. It heals them. Some may intentionally resist God’s will, but we should embrace it.

Jesus identifies with humanity. He willingly stands where sinners stand. He enters the waters where sinners identify as broken. He begins his ministry not from a throne but from the river. This is the shape of God’s salvation, the beloved servant. God does not save us from a distance. God intentionally steps into the waters with us.

Jesus is the source of our true identity. Read Isiah 42:6-7. In Jesus, we are God’s covenant bearers, we are called to bring his light to others because Jesus brought us out of darkness to light; from bondage to belonging. Are we willing?

Jesus’ obedience identifies how God wants every human to be. In Jesus, God has claimed us for his own, but we must return that claim by accepting the identity God has given us in Jesus. God has claimed us; now we need to claim God. 

Jesus identifies with us in his baptism, so also we need to find our identity in him as we face a culture and a world that resists or opposes him. Like Jesus, we must identify with the weak and the broken to bring them the salvation of God. People may not understand our message, they may question our motives, but we must obey God and bear his message. All who trust in God’s Beloved Son can be beloved! What God says is more important than any word.

Point 2) The second issue revolves around understanding. Jesus acts out of obedience to God: “It is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” John is confused by Jesus’ request. He isn’t quite clear on what is happening, but he defers to Jesus. This is a reminder to us that obedience should be our response to God even when others do not quite understand it. John was confused, Jesus obeyed. God spoke into John’s confusion, and God’s word affirmed Jesus’ work and identity. What God says is more important than any other word.

Obedience to God’s Word does not always remove confusion, but it provides identity and direction. God acknowledges Jesus as his Son, and in Jesus God calls us his children. We must remember this truth. Of course, this truth is quickly tested. We juggle many different names and roles. Some of them fit in well with the idea of being a child of God, while others may not. And sometimes, instead of letting God proclaim who we are, we allow the world around us to define us. 

Patricia J. Calahan writes:

“…as we grow, we sometimes forget the heavenly voice, and we begin to listen to other voices that confuse us. Perhaps we hear voices…that tell us that we are not smart enough.…we hear voices…who tell us that we are not cool enough…we hear voices that tell us we are not successful enough…Somehow, as God’s voice gets drowned out, we listen to these other voices, and we are tempted to forget who we are. We are tempted to forget that God…claimed us as beloved children.”

We need reminders of this divine claim. We need to hear God, claiming us not just in moments of our obedience but throughout our lives. When others express confusion at our obedience, or even confusion at our commitment to hear and to follow God, we must return to what God claims, to what God says. Remember, What God says is more important than any word. Jesus is his final Word, and we must find our identity in him. We must also learn to walk in humble service as Jesus walked. He is our example.

Point 3) Jesus give us an example to follow. Humility (read Phil 2:5-8)—Even though he is God, Jesus does not use his equality with God to benefit himself. He humbles himself. He gets baptized. He hears the Spirit and obeys. He does not immediately start a ministry, he waits on God’s guidance.

Many Jewish leaders came to see what was happening at the Jordan. They apparently wanted to be a part of the action. Earlier in Matthew 3, John chastises them and warns them of their lack of repentance. The Jewish leaders may be trying to manipulate John’s ministry or to get in on the “newest” trend, but they are not responding with humility. They are working contrary to God’s kingdom. They are trying to improve their situation on their own terms. They want to use God for their own advantage.

But God issues a different call—a call to humble service. The coming of the Spirit on Jesus is a reminder to us that God has called us by his Spirit to imitate the example of Jesus. Like our Lord, we have a call to serve. As Christians, we are called to become like Christ in word and in deed. We know we can’t do it alone, so it makes sense that God would reach out to us through his Spirit, to help us be the kind of servants that are described. We can reject the call if we want. God has given us free will (think of Jonah or Moses). There are all kinds of calls, but if you’re a follower of Jesus, you’ve got one.

So, you say, “How am I supposed to know what God is calling me to do? How do I find my call?” A theologian named Frederick Beuchner said, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” 

Think of it this way: Take your two hands. With one hand, get a grip on how God has made you. What are your gifts, your talents, your abilities, your passions? And then with the other hand, get a grip on the world around you. What do you see going on? What are the needs out there? What problems in the world keep you awake at night? And then bring your two hands together in prayer and your call will emerge. God will make it clear. Hear his voice, obey him, let his Word identify you: What God says is more important than any word.

Isaiah (42:6-7) describes what God’s servant will do: “I…will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.”

Jesus’ baptism launches a mission of restoration and liberation. This event marks not an ending but a beginning. In Acts 10:37, Peter later reflects on this truth, saying that Jesus’ ministry began “after the baptism that John preached.” From that moment forward, Jesus goes about “doing good and healing all who were oppressed.”

What begins at the Jesus’ baptism continues through the life of Christ—and through the life of the church. We are now called to humble service and obedience like Jesus. Paul says: “Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus.” Will we lower ourselves to serve when our culture encourages us to exalt ourselves? Will we die so that others may live? Will we obey even when others are confused about God’s declaration? Will we be immersed in Jesus and in his identity, obedience, and humility? Will we accept God’s call and the identity and assignment he provides? What God says is more important than any word.

How will we respond?

1. Remember Your Identity

In Jesus, God claims us. In Jesus, God names us. In Jesus, God sends us.

As a follower of Jesus, your life should be grounded in grace not achievement. You are not defined by your failures. You are not reduced to your fears. You are beloved. Read the following passages and learn from them what God says about you and what he wants you to do: Exodus 3; Isaiah 49; Psalm 40; 1 Corinthians 1; John 1.

2. Live Gently and Faithfully

Jesus’ way is marked by compassion, patience, and faithfulness. In a harsh world, the church is called to reflect the gentle strength of Christ. In divided times, we bear witness through love. In weakness, we trust God’s sustaining power.

Holiness is about God and about relationships. In his holiness, Jesus surrendered his life and died for human sin. Holiness requires relationship: with God and with others. Holding on to selfish desires does NOT promote relationship. Holiness is not selfish, it is humble and selfless; it is dialogue instead of monologue.

Holiness is not withdrawal—it is love made visible.

3. Step Into God’s Mission

Jesus’ baptism sends him into the wilderness, into ministry, into the world. In Jesus, God sends us too: To serve quietly. To love faithfully. To bear witness to God’s grace in ordinary places.

We are not sent because we are perfect—we are sent because we are loved.

Returning to the Voice of God

Remember the child in our earlier story. The identity of the child was in the voice and authority of the parent. The parent defined the child as loved, accepted, and capable. The voice of the parent was the strong foundation for the child’s life and action. So also, God’s voice provides these things for his children. Those who are followers of Jesus must remember that before they had answers, before they had clarity, before they had strength, God had already called them “beloved.”

Today, we may not stand physically in the Jordan River hearing the literal voice of God—but spiritually, we return to the voice that thundered over the waters. What God says is more important than any word.

We remember who Jesus is. We remember who we are. And we listen again for the voice that says, “You are my beloved child.”

Invitation

Today, I invite you to respond in one of several ways:

• Take a moment to renew your commitment to Christ—remember God’s grace and your calling.
• If you are longing to hear again that you are loved, come forward for prayer.
• If you are sensing a call into deeper obedience or service, offer yourself anew to God.
• And if you have never been saved or baptized, hear this invitation as an open door—God’s grace is already reaching toward you.

The heavens are still open. The Spirit is still moving. And God is still speaking love over his people. What God says is more important than any word. Amen.