UPDATED Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought is an updated version of AMI QT Devotional first posted on August 30, 2013.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“The Significance of the Baptism of Jesus”

Luke 3:21-22

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Peter, astounded that his master Jesus was about to wash his dirty feet, said to him, “No, you shall never wash my feet” (Jn. 13:8a).  John the Baptist reacted similarly when Jesus came to be baptized by him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” (Matt. 3:14).  John responded that way because he understood the implications of what Jesus was allowing to happen, saying, “Let it be so now.”

First, John knew that it was he who needed to be baptized by Jesus who had a greater baptism to offer.  This is to say, while John was sent to baptize with water, Jesus came to “baptize with the Holy Spirit” (John 1:33b).

Second, John knew that only sinners need to be baptized as a sign of repentance. Thus, “People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River” (Matt. 3:5-6).  But Jesus Christ the Son of God was sinless.  Yet from the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry, he identified himself with sinners, after which he demonstrated that he is truly the Son of Son by way to fasting for 40 days in the wilderness and then thwarting the temptations of the devil.

Who would do that for us except our God who “demonstrate[d] his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). Take a moment to thank Jesus for identifying with us so that He could take the burden of our sins upon Himself.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I really did not see the significance of your baptism until today.  That is really awesome and also humbling.  You absolutely love us!  Help me to constantly live in gratitude of your sacrifice for me.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 24