1. The Life of Christ Lesson 3
The Ministry of John the Baptist
The baptism of Jesus by john
Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness
John the Baptist’S Testimony of Jesus

2. The Baptism of Jesus by John Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22
The testimony/confirmation –
Baptism in order to be manifested to John and all.
“The heavens were opened” and “the Spirit of God descending as a dove” … “in bodily form.”
The Spirit not only descended upon Jesus but remained. John 1:32; Acts 10:38; Isaiah 42:1; 61:1; Luke 4:18-21
The voice of God the Father: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” John 1:29-34; Psalms 2:7
The first of 3 instances when God spoke from heaven to His Son: Matthew 17:5; John 12:28
In Jesus’ baptism, we see the distinction of the godhead: Jesus baptized, the Father spoke, the Spirit descended.
Jesus did what was right for him to do and all that was right for him to do.
Ps 2:6-7 - "But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain. I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.
John 1:32 – “John atestified saying, "bI have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him.”
Isa 42:1 – “Behold, My bServant, whom I 1uphold; My cchosen one in whom My dsoul delights. I have put My eSpirit upon Him; He will bring forth fjustice to the 2nations.
Isa 61:1 – “The aSpirit of the Lord 1God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me To bbring good news to the 2cafflicted; He has sent me to dbind up the brokenhearted, To eproclaim liberty to captives And 3freedom to prisoners;”
Luke 4:17-21 – “And the 1book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the 1book and found the place where it was written,
18…20 And He aclosed the 1book, gave it back to the attendant and bsat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your 1hearing."

3. Jesus’ Temptations In The Wilderness – Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13
The setting:
Led (Mark 1:13, “drove” ESV, cf. ASV) by the Holy Spirit into “the wilderness” to be tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1). cf. Matthew 6:13
Where? All alone in the wilderness with the “wild beasts” (Mark 1:13) – replete with danger.
Fasted 40 days and tempted during that time – Mark 1:13. Specific temptations recorded at the end of that time period. Matthew 4:2

4. Jesus’ Temptations In The Wilderness – Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13
The setting:
Situation? Alone, weak, tired. When does Satan attack us? (Ephesians 6:11; 4:14; 2 Corinthians 2:11 – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Hebrews 10:23-25)
By whom? Satan: our “adversary (an opponent in a lawsuit; cf. Revelation 12:11) … a roaring lion” (1 Peter 5:8); the “prince of this world” (John 16:11); “the tempter” (Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5).
If Jesus can overcome … can we? Did He overcome in any way that we can’t? What does the command to “follow Me” (Luke 9:23; John 10:27; 21:19) imply?