Matthew 3:13-17 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 3:13-17 on biblegateway.com
Verse 13Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. Verse 14John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Verse 15But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. Verse 16And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. Verse 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."
Devotion
Does it seem odd that Jesus felt compelled to be baptized? Was it to set an example? Was it to provide credibility to John the Baptist? Every journey has a starting point, and for Jesus, this event marked the first step in his public ministry. But for us, it becomes an image of Jesus being one of us, and so much more.
In my early years of seminary my advisor was Dr. Gerhard Frost. Each Tuesday morning, six of us would gather in Dr. Frost’s home and Mrs. Frost brought us lemonade and cookies. One day Dr. Frost told us that he would be having back surgery. Weeks went by, but finally we were called back to his home. He looked so weak and frail. After reading one of Luther’s Christmas sermons, he said, “Boys,” (it was all boys at the seminary then), “the night before my surgery I was so afraid. Then, quite suddenly, peace came over me when I recalled the meaning of my middle name: Gerhard E. Frost. Emmanuel: God with us."
Does it give you comfort knowing that you cannot experience anything in this world that Jesus did not also experience: fear, sorrow, grief and death? Conversely, does it give you courage knowing that everything he experienced we would also experience: confidence, joy, love, peace?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, you marked me on the day of my baptism and that has changed everything about my life. May I walk in confidence and joy today. Amen.