Monday, January 18, 2021

Following after Jesus #18

 

Luke 3:21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
Jesus had come to John to be baptized. At first, John was resistant, well-aware of the fact that in many ways it was much more appropriate for him to be baptized by Jesus. The way Luke's account reads here it is almost as if Jesus was the last one in line to be baptized.  From the get-go in His ministry, He shows us this attitude of servanthood, letting others go first. We also note that only Luke indicates He was praying; He was talking with the Father about what He was doing; This was a special event they were sharing. I've seen a lot of baptisms, accompanied by great testimonies, with great celebrations by those being baptized, their families, friends and church family, but I don't think I've ever seen someone pause to pray. Everything about this baptism points to the total uniqueness of Jesus and his intimacy with the Father. It is also a picture of the path Christ is laying for us to follow after Him - that path that is pleasing to the Father. Come in repentance, receiving forgiveness; openly identify yourself as His follower; allow His Holy Spirit to work in your life; enjoy life talking with God and sensing you are in His good pleasure.

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