Matthew 3:13-17
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Read Matthew 3:13-17 taking note of any questions that arise.
John’s baptism was a symbolic act entered into by those who truly desired to turn away from their worthless ways of life and turn toward God’s life-giving ways. It was a baptism of repentance – a symbol of the washing away of sin.
So why would Jesus, who never rebelled against God’s good and perfect ways, be baptized? John asks this question of Jesus realizing that he needs Jesus more than Jesus needs him.
Jesus’ baptism is an act of incredible humility. In stepping into the waters of a sinner’s baptism, this perfect, sinless person identifies fully with sinful humanity and recommits himself to God’s will and God’s way. So powerful is this act of Jesus that every person who turns to him in faith from then on will be called to be washed in the waters of baptism to identify with Jesus. In time the symbolic act will be understood as a reenactment of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection by all who enter the waters of baptism.
Think back to your baptism. It may have been a hugely meaningful experience, or you may have been baptized without necessarily understanding what you were doing. Try to picture yourself being baptized and consider how you, either knowingly or unknowingly, identified with Jesus in that act.
Take a moment to meditate on these words written by the Apostle Paul to Jesus followers in Corinth:
“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:21
Share your thoughts and feelings with Jesus.
Read Matthew 3:13-17 again paying special attention to the words of God the Father spoken to Jesus.
Except for a short story in Luke’s Gospel, we aren’t given any insight into Jesus’ life until he began his ministry at around 30 years of age. As far as we know, Jesus hadn’t done anything significant to carry out God’s work in the world until then. But here, at the onset of carrying out his mission, God publicly expresses love and delight in Jesus.
Our baptism is the public beginning of our commitment to live on the mission of Jesus, and just as God loved Jesus, God loves us deeply before we’ve done anything. We don’t earn God’s love and delight by what we do. As God loved and delighted in Jesus, we who identify with Jesus can be assured that God loves and delights in us apart from any act of service we might render.
For the last minutes of this time of reflection, imagine the waters of God’s love and delight washing over you.
If you sense that God is speaking to you in some way and inviting you to do something in response, take action before you move on with your day.
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