This is My Son
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we read of Your delight in Your Son, thank You that You have invited us to know that love.
Read 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.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What does the Father say about his Son?This famous passage gives us another insight into who Jesus is. John has tried to deter him from baptism, understanding that Jesus has nothing to repent of. But Jesus is determined to fully identify with humanity, and he shows extraordinary humility in going into the water. It is as Jesus comes out of the water that one of the clearest visions of the Trinity is given. In that moment of loving, humble submission the Spirit of God visibly descends as a dove and the voice of the Father declares: “This is my Son, whom I love” (17). In this moment Father, Son and Holy Spirit are revealed together in perfect unity, and the word encapsulating the revelation is “love.”It is into this perfect relationship of love between Father, Son and Holy Spirit that all are invited. Jesus took the full penalty of sin on the cross so that we could be forgiven and accepted. All who believe are adopted into the family—we are welcomed as children of God. Will you receive that love for yourself?This famous passage gives us another insight into who Jesus is. John has tried to deter him from baptism, understanding that Jesus has nothing to repent of. But Jesus is determined to fully identify with humanity, and he shows extraordinary humility in going into the water. It is as Jesus comes out of the water that one of the clearest visions of the Trinity is given. In that moment of loving, humble submission the Spirit of God visibly descends as a dove and the voice of the Father declares: “This is my Son, whom I love” (17). In this moment Father, Son and Holy Spirit are revealed together in perfect unity, and the word encapsulating the revelation is “love.”It is into this perfect relationship of love between Father, Son and Holy Spirit that all are invited. Jesus took the full penalty of sin on the cross so that we could be forgiven and accepted. All who believe are adopted into the family—we are welcomed as children of God. Will you receive that love for yourself?
Apply
Open your hands and your heart to the Lord and worship him today: “O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.”
Closing prayer
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thank You for making a way for me to enter the community of love. I say yes.
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