Jesus Christ, God’s promised Redeemer and... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

When He had been baptised, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, this is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Matthew 3:16–17

Jesus Christ, God’s promised Redeemer and Ruler of His people, has come to the Jordan to John the Baptist. Outwardly, the Son of God cannot be distinguished from the others who are being baptised there. The Baptist, too, did not recognise Him until He demanded baptism from him; at first, he even wanted to refuse to baptise the Messiah. But Jesus explains to him that it is necessary because it satisfies the just will of God (v. 15).

Thus, Christ unobtrusively and humbly sides with those who confess their sins and make a new beginning with God.

And yet, the Son of God is not on the same level as sinful people. There must be no doubt on this point! Heaven opens above Him, and the confirmation of God prevents any possible misinterpretation. No, in Jesus there is no sin, no stain; He is the only one who has no sins to confess at His baptism; He is the beloved Son who has the approval and pleasure of the Father in heaven in everything.

God gives Him this testimony and the Holy Spirit comes upon Him for all to see. Now Jesus will begin His ministry in public. At the same time, it is confirmed that He is truly the promised Messiah (cf. Isaiah 11:2). Thus He went about “doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38).

Today’s reading: Deuteronomy 24:1-22 · Galatians 2:11-21