-March 8, 2023-
Good morning, happy Wednesday,
“When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, ‘You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.’”
(Luke 3:21-22).
The account of Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist appears in all four gospels. Jesus initiated it, though John said, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?’ But Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he allowed Him” (Matthew 3:14-15). His baptism was unique. He had no sins to confess or repent of like all the other people. Four things happened as Jesus came up from the water: the heavens were opened to Him, He saw the Spirit descend upon Him like a dove and alighted on Him, and the Father’s voice was heard, ‘This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” All this was needed to fulfill all righteousness.
The key words are: “like a dove. The Holy Spirit was like a dove. He came in dove form to anoint our Savior with power from above. Doves are very gentle and land in soft and beautiful way. All three persons of the Godhead are represented at the inauguration of Jesus’ earthly ministry: the Father who said, “This My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” The Lord Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior, and Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit who descended in dove form.
This reminds us that as believers that we are indwelt by and filled with the Holy Spirit. The lesson for us is to be yielded to the Spirit, and led by the Spirit. Right after His baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. There is nothing effective that we can do for the Lord except by the power of the Holy Spirit.
There is a wonderful hymn written by Brian Jeffery Leach, entitled, “Spirit, Now Live in Me.” The first verse says, “O holy Dove of God descending, You are the love that knows no ending, all our shattered dreams You’re mending: Spirit, now live in me.” May we never quench or grieve the Spirit, but walk in the Spirit. He produces the fruit of the Spirit in us and empowers in everything we do for Christ.
Have a blessed day walking in the Spirit. Stay safe and healthy.
Empowered from above by the Spirit of love,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 