And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17 ESV)
I am beginning a 4 part series on the significance of Christ’s baptism.
This one baptism heralds the beginning of a new era in human history, the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. As children, Christians are taught obedience to God in emulating Christ in baptism from this story As adults they are taught that baptism is a symbol of their death to sin and rising alive to Christ. Pastors and theologians use this story to teach on the Trinity; God is one in essence, three in persons. What makes this event special for those who saw the event, those that read, and those that hear, is we can see the proclamation of Gods revealed Word. We see the foretelling of Christ’s ministry. This event defines who Christ is to God the Father. It reveals the Holy Spirit’s enablement of signs and wonders. Finally, Christ Jesus proclaims his work and his own intentions.
