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
Pictures of Jesus being baptized by John are everywhere—in congregations, museums and cathedrals. Why is this baptism so important to us? Perhaps in this event we both identify and become one with Jesus, while also seeing him as truly God's son.
Like Jesus, we come to the waters to be baptized. Just as Jesus stands before John, we see ourselves standing at the font. Yet we also know most surely that his baptism is not like ours. We know that Jesus is no ordinary person. He is far greater.
As Jesus emerges from the waters, this impression of difference is magnified. Suddenly the heavens open, the Spirit of God descends and God says from heaven, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." Certainly this water mark on Jesus is different from ours. We are not God. Yet even in this most exalted moment, our identification with Jesus returns. When we are baptized, God's Spirit descends on us and we are named "child of God." And in our baptism, God is most certainly pleased.
Prayer
We thank you, Lord, for helping us remember our baptism each and every day. May our remembrance be marked by Christ's presence.
Amen.