A Wonderful Message

Scripture – Luke 3:21-23: 21When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22and 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.” 23Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry.

Reflection: This is traditionally seen as the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. It’s been eighteen years since the Jerusalem incident with His parents. What happened in His life over that time is unknown to us.

It’s never been clear to me why Jesus was baptized. I simply don’t believe He needed to repent. I can only see that it was a public way of beginning ministry. At that time He received a clear and wonderful message from God, His Father, and what looks like a fresh experience of the Holy Spirit.

One thing I notice is the words of the Father are words every parent would love to give to their children. Another thing is they are words I would love to hear myself.

I never doubt God’s love for me. I know there are times He’s surely not “well pleased” with me. I’ll live today with an eye toward pleasing God. How will that look? I’ll just have to experiment and see. What about you? How will you live today?