Why did Jesus need baptism and what is the role of the Holy Spirit?
Matthew 3:13-17
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
How big is God’s grace and perspective? God picked us to be part of His kingdom, knowing that we are wholly unworthy to earn that place or even be in his presence. He also has the full picture of the future and planned THE BEST life for us, individually and collectively.
This verse is talking about God’s plan for our reconciliation with Him. The baptism of Jesus by John was designed, not because Jesus had sin that needed purification, but to fulfil the righteousness that Jesus would provide to all humans through His resurrection. His baptism showed the power of the trinity in this verse, with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit all being included. The Father gave the Son His full recognition. The Son then attained the Holy Spirit which would lead Him and bless Him. He also needed
to show that He identified with sinners. Through Jesus’ baptism, He had authority to go out and share God’s plan for their lives through Jesus with the world.
God’s grace is so big and perfect and enduring that, despite knowing we were going to be unworthy to sit in His presence, He planned us to be able to become righteous through Jesus. That if we put out trust in Jesus, we can be recognised by God as being Holy. And then be given the gift of the Holy Spirit so that every Christian is indwelt with a piece of God. And that it does not just stop there but if we choose to empower the Holy Spirit, we can start living a life that grows us closer to God every day and that He might be well-pleased with us, too.
Head: Have you had an encounter where you felt the Holy Spirit really lead your choices?
Heart: How have you perceived God’s Grace changed your life?
Hands: How can you empower the Holy Spirit in your life, to help you to grow and glorify God?
Prayer: Lord God, you are almighty, you are all loving, you are all gracious. Thank you for having greater perspective than me, and for the love that you used in planning my life. Lord God, thank you for the Holy Spirit! Thank you that in my unrighteousness you made me righteous. Thank you that the Holy Spirit has been given to me to depend on and to guide and grow me each day. Please make me aware of the Holy Spirit each day. I pray all these things in the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
A song to listen to: Oceans https://open.spotify.com/track/2PDlIgTWeNkVwx3QIAQT0i Julia Mullin
This Grow Daily was originally posted as part of the God With Us – Matthew series. During the School Holidays we take the opportunity to look back at the Grow Dailys over the years.
