RAP SHEET LUKE 3:21-22

Series: The Chosen King

Sermon: Tear It Open

Scripture: Luke 3:21–22; Exodus 14:21–22; Matthew 3:13–17; Mark 1:9–11; Mark 15:37–38

REVIEW

This week, we saw Jesus step out of obscurity into His first public moment—His baptism in the Jordan River. Luke provides a brief account, but Matthew and Mark elaborate on the details.

At the baptism, we see the Trinity clearly revealed: the Son in the water, the Spirit descending, and the Father’s voice declaring, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.” This was the coronation of the Chosen King, before a single miracle, sermon, or crowd—His identity established before His works.

We then asked the question: Why would Jesus receive a baptism of repentance? The Gospels point us backward and forward.

• Backward: To Israel’s greatest rescue at the Red Sea, when God tore open the waters. Mark uses the same word—schizo—to describe the heavens being torn open at Jesus’ baptism. This is the beginning of a greater exodus.

• Forward: Matthew tells us it was “to fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus stepped into our place, into sin-stained waters, so that He could give us His righteousness. What began at the water culminated at the cross, when the veil in the temple was torn open from top to bottom.

From the sea, to the skies, to the sanctuary—God has torn apart every barrier that separates us from Him.

APPLY

• What is ONE way you will live from your God-given identity this week, instead of striving to earn it?

• What is ONE area of your life where you need to trust that God has already torn down the barrier that seems impossible?

• What is ONE way you will take a next step of obedience—whether in baptism, or in another clear area where God is calling you?

PRAY

• Thank God that He has already torn down every barrier that could keep you from Him.

• Ask the Spirit to help you live out the identity God has spoken over you in Christ.

• Confess where you’ve been deceived by lies, guilt, or insecurity—and ask God for courage to tear it down.

• Take a moment to pray for those who need salvation and baptism, that they would step into the water just as Jesus did.