Jesus’ baptism

Luke 3:21-22

 21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

This short passage is loaded with theological truths we need to see.

Jesus was baptized, and in that action is the first public moment in which the world is told who he is. Yes, Mary and Joseph knew. Yes, the shepherds and the magi knew. Yes, the leaders who talked to Jesus in the temple when Jesus was 12 years old knew there was something about this kid. But here is a public demonstration of who Jesus is, that he is the one from God. And further that he will be loyal to God, will follow God’s way.  

When people are baptized it is a sign of their desire to follow the Jesus way. It is a sign of entering into a covenant with God to be a follower of Jesus. And in baptism God says to us, “You are my child, you belong to me.” Baptism is two parts – our declaration of following – and God’s declaration of commitment and love for us. In infant baptism, our part – saying we want to follow Jesus – is a promise parents make on our behalf until we are old enough to make that promise our own. God’s statement of love for us does not wait until we are old enough to make a choice for Him, God’s grace flows to us even when we are not aware that it is there.

We should not miss the clear Trinitarian statement that is being made in Jesus’ baptism. God the Father speaks from heaven declaring that Jesus is the Son of God, while the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove comes to rest on Jesus. Father and Holy Spirit bearing witness to Jesus as the Son of God. And Jesus, the Son of God, demonstrates his willingness to follow the lead of the Spirit in obedience to the Father. The three parts of the Trinity in perfect harmony working together.

PRAYER:

Triune God of grace, in joyful humility we seek to follow the example of your Son, following him in baptism, and in commitment to living by his example of obedience to you as we are guided by the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.