There are a few things that occurred in Jesus’ life that are mentioned in all four Gospels, such as His crucifixion and resurrection. Another event would be His baptism at the hands of John the Baptist. Today we take a quick look at the account that St. Luke gave in his Gospel.
Earlier in the third chapter Luke had introduced us to John the Baptist and his ministry. John was a fiery preacher who preached a hard-hitting message of repentance, without giving any concern as to who might be hearing his message. He wasn’t going to water down his message for the benefit of anyone. John baptized those who took his message to heart. Because there had been at least 400 years since there had been a prophet of God of any significant standing and there was virtually a silence from heaven, when John the Baptist came on the scene people immediately noticed. There had been the promise of God throughout the days of the Old Testament that He would send the Messiah to bring deliverance to His people, and some began to wonder whether or not John the Baptist was this Messiah (vs. 15). Four hundred years was a long time to not have any prophet or preacher bringing a message from the Lord. That would be like us not hearing a message from the Lord since the early 1600’s, no Billy Graham, no Billy Sunday, no John Paul II, or any other messenger from the Lord all that time. Now, suddenly, coming from out in the wilderness, John the Baptist and his strong message appears. People were longing for a message, and some thought that he must be God’s promised Messiah.
John knew that he was not the promised Messiah, and though it might have been tempting for some to try to fit into that position, and get the attention and fame that might come, John immediately denied any such claims for himself (vs. 16). During his time in the wilderness preparing for his ministry, God had revealed to him that he was to be the forerunner of the Savior. He acknowledged that his role was to be the one to prepare the way for the Messiah. John had immense humility, and knew that he wasn’t even worthy to perform the lowly task of removing the Messiah’s sandal straps. This is different from many preachers today, many who want the spotlight shining brightly on them, who want their name big and bold on their books and speaking tours. John the Baptist knew that the position of prominence belonged only to the Lord Jesus Christ. John brought a baptism of repentance with water, but the Lord Jesus would come baptizing with the Holy Spirit and fire, symbolizing purification and empowerment.
As we continue with our Scripture passage, Jesus came down to the area by the Jordan River where John the Baptist was preaching and performing his water baptism of repentance. Jesus was then baptized by John, marking the beginning of His public ministry (vs. 21). He was also baptized to identify Himself with humanity’s need for repentance and righteousness.
When Jesus was baptized, He spent that moment in prayer and meditation to His Father in heaven. He wasn’t looking around to see who might be watching, as if looking for a photo op. This was a special moment between Himself and His Heavenly Father. While Jesus prayed, heaven opened up, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove. At the same time the Father spoke to Jesus, telling Him that He was His beloved Son, and that He was well-pleased with Him (vs. 22). Both the Gospel of Luke and that of Mark state that the Voice from Heaven spoke to Jesus, saying “You are my beloved Son.” Matthew’s Gospel says that the Voice spoke to others there, John the Baptist specifically, telling them that He, (Jesus) was His beloved Son, and He was well pleased with Him. These are not necessarily contradictory. God spoke to both Jesus personally, and also to those other present, telling each what they needed to hear - that Jesus is God’s Son, and He is pleased with Him.
There are some churches or denominations that deny the existence of the Trinity. Our Scripture today is just one of many that highlight the presence of the Trinity. We see Jesus, the Son, being baptized here. Then we hear the Father’s Voice from heaven. We also see the Holy Spirit descending like a dove upon the Lord Jesus. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit - the Trinity.
In closing, let us be like John the Baptist, serving the Lord humbly, and point others to the Lord Jesus, the Messiah. The focus, the spotlight, should not be focused on us. Instead, let us direct others to look to Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God who the Father is well-pleased in.
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