February 13
"When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: 'You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.' Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry." -Luke 3:21-23 (NIV)
Baptism is a widely practiced today. Most Christians have been baptized. Yet there was a time it was rare. It took a great courage in Jesus' day to be baptized. John the Baptist was under deep suspicion by Roam authorities and Judean leaders. Any who followed John were in danger. Yet he continued to proclaim judgment on the unjust, preach repentance, and baptize until arrested and executed. Yet Jesus' baptism recorded by Luke was the first public declaration of Jesus' ministry. This is no accident. By doing so Luke shows us Jesus' courage, character, and real identity. Instead of going to the temple in Jerusalem and identifying with rich religious leaders, Jesus went to a river and identified with the poor, forsaken, and those repenting of sin. When 12 Jesus had visited the Temple and understood his mission. (Lk.2:49) At his baptism, 18 years later he began his mission. During this risky baptism, God spoke and revealed Jesus' true identity as his beloved Son. By so doing, the mission and purpose of Jesus as the Messiah was publicly confirmed when he was only 30 years old. God broke into human history in a new way in the baptism of Jesus of Galilee.
Some theologians have been troubled by Jesus' allowing himself to be baptized by John. After all, this baptism was for sinners. Why did Jesus do it? He did it because of his love for us. Jesus submitted to baptism and even death for our redemption. This baptism by John in the Jordan River was another step in his identification with us as sinful imperfect people. The dove signifies power of God's Holy Spirit. Jesus was now prepared to officially begin his ministry as God's beloved Son walking the dusty roads with the poor and rejected. If you are ever hurting, depressed, or broken, remember you have a Savior who walks with you! You are never alone!
Prayer: Christ, May I be worthy of your sacrificial love. Amen.
Meditation For The Day: Jesus isn't above or below us but with us.
Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Winter Renewal Paperback – November 25, 2017, by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson (Author)
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