God the Father Claims Jesus his Son!
When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. While he was praying, heaven was opened, and 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. I am well pleased with you.” Luke 3:21-22
Almost 2000 years ago something was going on in a country that today is called Israel. There was a guy, dressed in a camel-hair robe, who was condemning sins. He wasn’t just condemning societies’ sins, but people’s individual sins. Not only was he condemning the wrong, he was also pointing to a remedy. His message caused quite a stir. People from all over were coming to see and hear him. Also to partake in the “remedy” that he had, baptism. That baptism pictured what the One that John was pointing to would accomplish—the forgiveness of sins.
We aren’t told how long John was preaching before there was someone special in the crowd. As Luke records Jesus presented himself to be baptized. The One that John was promising now was there. The Holy Spirit descended on him. God the Father gives the affirmation. John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The source of that forgiveness was now there. Jesus’ baptism is the formal declaration. Jesus, the Son of God is also the Son of Man. Our Substitute brings his righteousness to baptism because he is the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world. Like Luther commented, here Jesus becomes the Christ.
Because of what Jesus did, that affirmation now also becomes ours by faith. God the Father has declared, “You are my child, whom I love. I am well please with you.”
Lord Jesus, thank you for fulfilling all righteousness. Lead me to remember my connection to God in my baptism. Amen.