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.

1. When Jesus says he his baptism is necessary to fulfill all ________________, He is saying that He has come to do God's __________ work.

2. Jesus stands with sinners in his _____________ because he will stand for sinners in his ______________.

3. Our _____________ flows from the cross and empty tomb and ______________ us with Jesus.

Scripture Readings
Isaiah 42:1-9
Romans 6:1-11
Matthew 3:13-17

Take It With You!

Here we will offer thoughts and meditations on the message to help us as we contemplate and discuss and wrestle with what we are hearing.

How mighty is the grace of water in the sight of God and His Christ, for the confirmation of Baptism! Never is Christ without water: He who is Himself baptized in water (Matt. 3:13-17); inaugurates in water the first display of His power when invited to the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11); in His preaching He invites the thirsty to His own eternal water (John 7:37-38; John 4:6ff); He approves, among the works of charity, the cup of water offered to a poor child (Matthew 10:42); He gathered His strength at a well (John 4:6); walks over the water (Matthew 14:25ff); calms the waves (Mark 4:39); and serves His disciples with washing by water (John 13:5). Even His passion bears witness to the power of Baptism's waters, for while He was being handed over to the cross, water intervened and was a witness against Pilate's hands (Matt. 27:24). And when He is wounded , after His death, water bursts forth from His side that had been pierced with the soldier's lance (John 19:34).

-Tertullian, On Baptism