Jesus’ Baptism
Suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son!” Matthew 3:17a
Jesus’ baptism is often used by believers to support the teaching of the Trinity. All three persons of the Godhead were present at Jesus’ baptism. Jesus, of course, was baptized, while the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove, and God the Father spoke from heaven—three persons revealing themselves in one historic incident.
The significance of God the Father’s statement is that it reveals the truth that the man Jesus—the son of the virgin Mary, was and is also true God—the Son of our Father in heaven. That truth is vital for our salvation, because were Jesus only the son of Mary, merely a man, He could never be our Savior. Good men, even the very best of men, cannot save other men. The Psalmist explains why this is so: “None of them (referring to any and all human beings) can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for Him—for the redemption of their souls is costly.” (Psalm 49:7-8a)
It remains for God the Father alone through His Son to save the world. This is why Jesus told Nicodemus that “unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) Jesus then went on to explain God’s plan for mankind’s salvation in those most familiar and beloved words: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
It is only when we are led by the Spirit of God to acknowledge that Jesus is both true man and true God, that we understand that He is our Savior. Then and only then will we discover the comfort and certainty that our heavenly Father wants us to enjoy in this life, as we look forward to eternal life in heaven.
Dear heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus into this world and for identifying Him so clearly as Your Son and our Savior. May we always be led to entrust ourselves to Him, so that we might experience Your grace and forgiveness. Amen.