Verse
The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God's Spirit — it looked like a dove — descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: “This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life.”
— Matthew 3:16-17 msg
Thought
This is a moment of incredible holiness and transcendence. The Father looks down and delights in the Son as the Spirit descends from the Father in heaven to earth to rest on and in the Son. God's words are crucial for Jesus as he prepares to battle the evil one in the desert as he is tempted for 40 days. Yet maybe what is most incredible about this moment is that we share in it at our baptism. We are baptized in the name and by the authority of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19-20). We share with the Son in his death, burial, and resurrection for us (Rom. 6:3-6). The Holy Spirit works the miraculous as we are reborn by our faith in the power of God that raised Jesus from the dead (Col. 2:12). We are born from above through the miraculous working of the Holy Spirit (John 1:12; John 3:3-6). And we know just what God thinks about us: we are his child, chosen and marked by his love, the delight of his life!
Prayer
O Father, thank you! Thank you for the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. I believe he died for my sins and was raised so I could be made perfect and righteous in your sight. Thank you for the cleansing and transforming work of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for the example of Jesus, who though perfect and not in need of repentance or baptism, was baptized anyway to fulfill all righteousness. And thank you, dear Father, for your words to Jesus when he was baptized. Through them, I know that my own baptism brought you joy and delight. I thank you for these gifts in Jesus' name. Amen.
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2016. All rights reserved.
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The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God's Spirit — it looked like a dove — descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: “This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life.”
— Matthew 3:16-17 msg
Thought
This is a moment of incredible holiness and transcendence. The Father looks down and delights in the Son as the Spirit descends from the Father in heaven to earth to rest on and in the Son. God's words are crucial for Jesus as he prepares to battle the evil one in the desert as he is tempted for 40 days. Yet maybe what is most incredible about this moment is that we share in it at our baptism. We are baptized in the name and by the authority of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19-20). We share with the Son in his death, burial, and resurrection for us (Rom. 6:3-6). The Holy Spirit works the miraculous as we are reborn by our faith in the power of God that raised Jesus from the dead (Col. 2:12). We are born from above through the miraculous working of the Holy Spirit (John 1:12; John 3:3-6). And we know just what God thinks about us: we are his child, chosen and marked by his love, the delight of his life!
Prayer
O Father, thank you! Thank you for the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. I believe he died for my sins and was raised so I could be made perfect and righteous in your sight. Thank you for the cleansing and transforming work of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for the example of Jesus, who though perfect and not in need of repentance or baptism, was baptized anyway to fulfill all righteousness. And thank you, dear Father, for your words to Jesus when he was baptized. Through them, I know that my own baptism brought you joy and delight. I thank you for these gifts in Jesus' name. Amen.
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2016. All rights reserved.
