In this week's lectionary text, Jesus is seeking out John to be baptized, and John would have prevented him saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” before having the heavens opened to Jesus and the Spirit descending like a dove. 

Adam, Kiri, and I ask Lars Olson:

• What is baptism?
• Why do we need to be baptized?
• And why does Jesus need to be baptized, too? 

Lars teaches us that Jesus is baptized, not because He needs to be, but FOR US. So that we can be found in Him. He took our sin and gave us His righteousness. God's righteousness enters the world through Christ and comes to us in baptism.

Matthew 3:13-17

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 

14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

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. 

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. 

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

SING TO THE LORD

Listen to Luther House of Study's newest podcast: Sing to the Lord!

Martin Luther said, "Next to the word of God, the art of music is the greatest treasure in the world."

To understand the importance of hymnody in the Lutheran church, Lars Olson and Mason Van Essen sit down with Zachary Brockhoff to discuss the lectionary's hymns, their meaning and history, and how the music preaches the Gospel. 

Follow or subscribe to Sing to the Lord to hear the weekly episodes. Links to Sing to the Lord are in the show notes. 

🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3IjGmMa

🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3VHikh3

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