Luke 3:21-22 “21 Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, ‘You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.’”
JUST OBEY
I love to baptize believers. There is something joyous about lying them back in the waters and seeing the smile begin to erupt on their faces as they are coming up out of the waters. It’s almost as if they are hearing God say, “You are My beloved child, in you I am well-pleased.”
Now, I have yet to see a dove come down on anyone I have baptized. That would be cool though. But I know the Holy Spirit is there because, as believers, He is dwelling in them as I baptize them. So, all the elements of Christ’s baptism are there – people watching (public baptism), waters to immerse, the Holy Spirit and the Father’s pleasure.
TEACHING MOMENT
The next time your children get to see a baptism at church read them this passage. Talk about how Christ was obedient to the Father and gave us the example to follow. Jesus did NOT need baptism to save Him. He was the Savior. He was obeying His Father in heaven and as a result, the Father showed His pleasure.
Perhaps your child is contemplating getting baptized. They have asked Christ into their heart and are ready for that step of obedience. Encourage that. Have them talk with your Pastor. But encourage that. Don’t think they need to wait until they are older. Let them hear those words “I am well pleased” from the Father.
How about you? Have you followed the Lord in baptism? If not, let me encourage you today to get that done. The joy you will receive from the Lord for obeying Him in this will far outweigh any fear you feel in getting up in front of others. Trust Him and He will whisper to you too, “You are My beloved child, in you I am well-pleased.”
