21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” 23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. (Luke 3:21-23)
This passage is about the baptism of Jesus. John the Baptist preached the baptism of repentance, people confessed their sins, repented, and were baptized. Jesus who is sinless identified with the sinners, and also accepted John’s baptism. During Jesus’ baptism, the Trinity appeared simultaneously. As Jesus was praying, the Holy Spirit descended on him in a bodily form like a dove, and a voice from heaven said, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” The dove represents purity, gentleness, and peace. This voice from heaven was the Father speaking, confirming Jesus’ authority and identity. Jesus’ baptism marked the beginning of his ministry.
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:13-17)
In this parallel passage, Lord Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. John tried to stop him, because Jesus was more powerful than John and He would baptize people with the Holy Spirit and the fire. Lord Jesus said to John, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” What does this mean? Jesus is both God and man. He is the Son of the Trinity God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As a human being, he needed to fulfill the Father’s command for all people. Jesus’ baptism was not for his own sins; Jesus who is sinless took on the sins of the world. In his baptism, Jesus identified with the sinners, bearing their sins, ultimately satisfying the righteous requirements of the law.
May God bless you and your family!
