Read Luke 3:21-37

1. What does the fact that “all the people” were willing to make the trip from Jerusalem to the Jordan to be baptized show you about them and their view of baptism?
All the people wanted this baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. It was worth the hike and effort. It still is.

2. When Mark tells us “the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him” what does he mean? What do the words “whole” and “all” mean?
“Whole” means whole and “all” means all. We know what it means when we read in a newspaper, “The whole town turned out to meet the homecoming team.” The point is that this was a widespread thing.

3. Tell what the three requisites were for John’s baptism…and for the sacrament of baptism that we too know.
John’s baptism was 1) commanded by God, 2) promised the forgiveness of sins, and 3) used the earthly element water.

4. How does Jesus show us his true human nature when he was baptized?
Jesus was with “all the people” when he was baptized. He was one of them. He was among men. He surely was fulfilling his name: God with us (Immanuel). It was to his human body that the water of baptism was applied.

5. What then is the connection between Jesus’ baptism and our righteousness before God?
Through this act of’ obedience and baptism, Jesus takes our place. Here and throughout his ministry Jesus perfectly did all that God requires of us. Then he also paid the penalty we deserved because our sins prevent us from being holy and perfect. We are righteous before God because Jesus is our righteousness. It is God’s gift to us by grace through faith.

Read Mark 10:1-16