Sermon: The Gateway to Heaven | Matthew 3:13-17 | The Baptism of Jesus

When Jesus comes to the Jordan, He looks like everyone else standing in line to be baptized by John. Yet John knows the truth. This man has no sin. John hesitates, knowing the order seems backwards. He should be the one kneeling, not Jesus. But our Lord insists. This must be done to fulfill all righteousness. Jesus’ baptism is unlike ours. He does not enter the water to have sin washed away. He enters the water to take sin upon Himself. Your sin. My sin. He steps into the place of sinners so that He might carry our guilt all the way to the cross and leave it buried in the tomb. The righteous One comes to make things right with those who are not righteous. And then heaven opens. The Spirit descends like a dove. The Father’s voice resounds from above, declaring His pleasure in His Son. Heaven reaches down to earth in a way never seen before. This is not just a moment in history. This is what baptism is. God coming to us. Heaven touching earth. The promise that sinners are claimed, forgiven, and named children of God. Baptism is not our work reaching up to God. It is God’s gracious work coming down to us. The gate of heaven stands open because Christ has stepped into the water for us. ----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService