Scripture

A voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

Observation

Jesus goes to the Jordan River to be baptised by John. John argues with Jesus saying, “You should be baptising me!”

Jesus says that it is necessary to do all that God requires. So John baptises him.

As Jesus comes out of the water, the Holy Spirit descends on him in the form of a dove. A voice from heaven says, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

Application

I am a son of the Most High God. Despite my many failings and sins, He counts me as a son who brings Him great joy.

My children are all grown up now, but they have been sources of joy over many years. I count their births as the most joyful events of my life. Seeing them pass various milestones, grow up, and mature into adults has also brought me great joy.

Sure, there have been times of sadness, but even in those times there have been glimmers of joy and hope.

If my earthly children give me great joy as a father, why is it so hard to believe that I bring joy to my Heavenly Father?

We have a faulty view of God, I think. We think that expects total perfection and flawless obedience all the time, and when we fail we fear that He will withhold His love and blessings from us.

God loves us despite our sins. He doesn’t stop loving us when we fall short of his glory. No, He gives us grace to keep walking.

God is full of joy at His family, even me.

Prayer

Thank you, Father, for the assurance that I give you great joy. I confess that I often feel like I don’t give you joy at all, but I believe that this is true despite how I may feel. Amen.

Scripture

” I baptise with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am – so much greater that I am not worthy to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

Observation

John the Baptist appears in the wilderness of Judea and preachers a radical message of repentance. People come from all over the country to listen to John. They confess their sins and are baptised by him.

John warns the Pharisees and Sadducees that they cannot flee God’s wrath by being baptised. They must repent of their sins and produce the fruit of repentance like everybody else.

John says that he baptises with water, but one is coming who will baptise with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Application

The message is the same and has never changed. We are all sinners and we need to turn back to God. He will forgive us because of the sacrifice of Christ.

Jesus is the one who baptises us with the Holy Spirit and with fire. When we give our hearts to Christ, the Holy Spirit comes into our hearts. Every believer can experience the fullness or the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

There is a very severe warning here. Being religious is not good enough. It’s not enough to look good on the outside – the Pharisees and Sadducees were experts at that. We all need to repent from the heart and allow God to change us from the inside out.

The really good news in all of this is that God’s grace has no limits. We can come as often as we need to drink deeply of his love.

Prayer

Lord your grace never runs out. Thank you for this wonderful gift. Amen.