Sermon: Son of Adam, Son of God (Luke 3:21-38)

Son of Adam, Son of God Sunday, February 15th, 2026 Christ Covenant Church – Centralia, WA Luke 3:21–38 Prayer O Father, we thank You for the revelation of Your Son Jesus Christ, in whom the human race may now find salvation. Grant us now to behold the wonders of Your law, for we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen. Introduction When do you most feel the good pleasure of God? Have you ever felt as if God is in heaven, looking down upon you with a big smile, loving who you are, loving what you are doing, delighting in your thoughts and actions because they bring glory to Him? Have you experienced the Father’s good pleasure before? Well, here in our text, Jesus shows us both what God takes pleasure in, and how we also may share in his Father’s delight. Moreover, Luke shows us by this long genealogy that God has been planning this revelation of His love from the foundation of the world. The revelation of the love of God in Son of God is the centerpiece of human history. The patriarchs looked forward to it, we now look backward to it, and as it says in John 1:12, as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. In other words, by believing in Jesus, you are now included in that long genealogy of Jesus, not according to the flesh, but as a descendant of His according to the Spirit, and indeed that is what your baptism signifies: Your rebirth into the family of God. Your connection to the royal line of God’s Son. Your adoption by the grace of the Heavenly Father. Innumerable blessings flow from this union with Christ, and yet far too many Christians neglect these blessings, or live in ignorance of them. We forget to make use of the many diverse graces God offers us in His beloved Son. It says in Psalm 103:2-5, Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. And on and on it goes! And so if you are weary, if your strength is waning, if it has been a long time since you’ve felt the Father’s good pleasure, here in our text Jesus will show you the way to enjoy that good pleasure again. Or if you have never known the love of the Father before, perhaps today can be that day for you. Outline of the Text Our text divides into two basic sections. In verses 21-22, we have The Baptism of Christ. In verses 23-38, we have The Genealogy of Christ. And as an aside, we won’t spend much time on the actual contents of the genealogy, but if you want to how this harmonizes with Matthew, or why it has 77 names in it, there are plenty of books I can recommend to you ifthat’s a puzzle you want to explore. The big question we should ask though is, Why does Luke wait until the 3rd chapter of his gospel to give us this long list of names? Matthew begins his gospel with a genealogy, but Luke reserves this information so he can link it up with Jesus’ baptism? Why is this? The main reason is because: who Jesus is, is the explanatory key to unlocking the rest of the book. If you do not know and believe that Jesus is both perfect God and perfect man, that He is both human and divine, you will not understand what Jesus is doing and why he is doing what he does. And so in this baptism, and in this genealogy, Luke points us to the twofold sonship of Christ. He is the earthly son of Adam, and the eternal Son of God. He is the most beloved Son of the Father, in whom the Holy Spirit abides, and He is the adopted son of Joseph. And it is this twofold sonship that mirrors and reflects the way that God saves us. Jesus is by nature divine, the natural son of God, but he has a legally adopted human father according to the flesh, Joseph. Whereas we are all natural sons of Adam, children of wrath, dead in sin, but God legally adopts us as His own. So what Jesus is by nature, we are by adoption, and what we are by nature, Jesus is by adoption. This is the beautiful harmony and touchpoint of how God saves the human race. The son of God became the son of man so the sons of men could become sons of God. That is the main point of this genealogy. So already Luke is priming us with the truths that we need to understand Christ. Because Jesus is going to do and say things later that are hard to understand, but if we remember that He is perfect God and perfect man, we will see the purpose for his actions: 1) They are to save us, and 2) they are to teach us. They are to reveal to us the true nature of God, and they are to show us how we may become partakers of God, conformed in our sufferings to Christ. And this is especially evident in Jesus’ baptism. Verses 21-22 – The Baptism of Jesus 21Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. There are three amazing mysteries here: The mystery of the Holy Trinity, the mystery of the Incarnation, and the mystery of our Salvation. And in order to understand a little bit of these mysteries, we can ask some Why questions that this scene provokes. First of all, Why was Jesus baptized? We know that John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance, but if Jesus is God and he is perfect, he has no sins to repent of. So what then is the purpose for Jesus undergoing this ritual? There are at least five reasons for the baptism of Christ. 1. The first reason comes from the mouth of Christ, who says to John, when John is insisting that he needs to be baptized by Jesus, Jesus says to him in Matthew 3:15, Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Jesus is baptized to fulfill all righteousness. That means, Jesus came not to destroy the law, but to fulfill the law, and it was the righteous thing to do at that time to be baptized by John. Jesus is a new Israel, doing what the law of God required. 2. The second reason for undergoing baptism is to teach us humility. Jesus, who is John’s superior, and who has a superior baptism to John (with fire and the Holy Ghost), voluntarily makes himself inferior to John. And by this action Jesus shows us what his whole ministry is about, serving those inferior to Him. And thereby, teaching us how we may fulfill all righteousness, by serving even those who are inferior to us. In Philippians 2:5-8, Paul calls this “the mind of Christ.” Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. So Jesus begins his public ministry the way he will end it. By voluntarily subjecting himself to his inferiors. By doing what is not personally necessary for himself, but which is most necessary for us sinners. Jesus is the God and King and Lord who stoops low to serve us, and is exalted on high because of his humiliation. So do you follow in his train? Does this kind of humility and service characterize your life? Do you submit to those who are superior to you? Do you honor those who are equals with you? And do you humble yourself to serve even your inferiors for their good? For this reason, Jesus was baptized by John. 3. The third reason Jesus undergoes baptism, is to bury the Old Adam. This is another reason Luke links the genealogy to his baptism, because in Christ, the old man dies, and the new man is reborn. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. How does a person get into Christ? Paul says in Romans 6 that it is by baptism. Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. Jesus was baptized to teach us how the old man dies. He dies through union with Jesus’ death, and he rises again in union with Jesus’ life. Elsewhere Paul tells us to reenact our baptism on a daily basis.He says in Colossians 3:9-10, Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him. And he says in Ephesians 4:22,that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. 4. The fourth reasons Jesus was baptized, was to remove any excuse for us not being baptized. If you believe in Jesus but refuse baptism, you are failing in your very first step as a disciple. Are you more holy than Jesus? Are you wiser than God as to the necessity for baptism? Are you not actually a sinner in need of cleansing? If Jesus was baptized and had no need for repentance, how can you refuse what you do need, and what the Lord commands? In the very first sermon of the Apostle Peter, what does he say? It says in Acts 2:38, Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. This brings us to our fifth reason for Jesus’ baptism. 5. Jesus was baptized to show us that through Him heaven is made open to us. No man can enter heaven’s door unless he is perfect. Unless his sins have been blotted out, washed away by the blood of Christ. And in baptism, this is what God does for us, He forgives our sins. Jesus says in John 3:5, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. And Paul says in Galatians 3:27, For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. And that means that wherever Christ goes, you may go also. If Jesus has access to heaven, so may you through Him. This is how Paul can say in Ephesians 2:6, that we are seated with Christ in heavenly places. And in Hebrews 9:24 it says, For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. So Jesus is baptized to signify that he is the anointed high priest in the order of Melchizedek, He is the one mediator between God and men (1 Tim. 2:5). This is why Paul tells us in Hebrews to keep our hope and our heart anchored in heaven, because that is where Christ is right now interceding for us. He says in Hebrews 4:14-16, Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. So do you see what your baptism into Christ gives you access to? You now have a direct line to heaven! You have high-priest who can sympathize with your weakness. And so do you make use of that direct line? Are you constantly on the horn with God, making your requests known to Him? Because God wants to hear from you far more than you want to be heard, and so go to Him “in Jesus’ name.” Baptism gives you access to heaven, but you still have to make use of that access through prayer. And in fact we discover that this is also something Jesus does when he is baptized. It says, in verse 21, Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened. This bring us to a second Why question: If Jesus is God, if Jesus is perfect man, why does He pray? Is He just talking to Himself? Yes and No. This is where we dip into the mystery of the Trinity and the mystery of the Incarnation. As God, according to His divine nature, Jesus is one with the Father and the same One God who hears and answers prayer. But as man, according to His human nature, Jesus prays to be heard and to teach us how to pray. It says in Hebrews 5:7-9, who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death [God the Father], and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. As God, Jesus answers prayers together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, they are the One God who answers prayer. But as man, Jesus prays, he cries out, he cries tears, in order to be heard, in order to teach us how just how essential and necessary prayerful obedience to God is. This is why Jesus prays, because according to His divinity He answers. We may also ask the question: In what sense did Jesus praying and obeying make Him “more perfect?” How do you perfect perfection? The greater perfection that Jesus achieved, was not a moral perfection (which he always had), but the perfection of his body and ministry. The perfection of glorification. The perfection of completing his mission to the cross. Prior to his death, Jesus’ body could suffer. He hungered, he was thirsty, he felt sorrow, pain, and deprivation. His body could be cut and it could bleed. But after his obedience unto death Jesus is perfected by his resurrection, never to die or suffer again. And so Jesus is perfected as the author of our salvation, as the immortal man, the immortal king, who begets immortal sons and daughters who by dying shall never die again. This is the hope of the Christian faith. As it says in 1 Peter 1:3-4, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you. So Jesus was perfected in glory to perfect you for glory. And he did this by a prayerful and constant obedience to God. And so if Jesus was devoted to prayer and he was sinless, how much more should we be devoted to prayer who still struggle with sin? St Augustine says, “once we are washed in baptism, daily we are washed in prayer.” Prayer is how we renew our minds. Prayer is how we renew our love for God. Prayer is what keeps us in heaven with Christ,which is why we are told to pray without ceasing. Prayer is what gives us the peace of God, as it says in Isaiah 26:3, You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. And so see what results from baptism and prayer. See what God reveals at the baptism and praying of Christ? It says in verse 22, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. A third and final Why question we may ask is, Why the Holy Spirit descends likes a dove? 1. First because a dove signifies innocence. And Jesus is the innocent one. 2. Second is because a dove signifies peace. And the Holy Spirit is the peace of God, and Christ the one who will make peace by his death. 3. Third is because in Noah’s day, the dove was sent out after the flood to find a place to rest. And Jesus is the final resting place for those who desire eternal rest. Jesus is the new creation, who ascends from the flood waters of death. And by hiding yourself in the Ark that is Jesus, you may find refuge from the flood of final judgment. He will carry you safely to the new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells. Conclusion And so I ask again as we close: Have you felt the good pleasure of God? Have you experienced the peace that comes from prayer and baptism, and taking refuge in Jesus? Have you experienced what we sing about in Psalm 149? For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. It says in Hebrews 11:6-7, But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. So if you would please God, if you want to feel the Father’s good pleasure, then diligently seek Him. Trust in Jesus as your reward. Condemn this world like Noah did, by living a life of faith, and you shall enjoy for all eternity the good pleasure of God. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.