"Then they will know that I am the Lord"
Luke 3:21-23
"Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, 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."
The scripture focus today points out something critically different than the other gospels. Luke records for us that Jesus was praying after having been baptized by John. And while he was praying, the heavens were opened, the Holy Spirit descends, and a voice from heaven is heard.
It wouldn't have been lost upon the people there that this Spirit dove came down, and a voice from heaven spoke of God's beloved Son. Many there would see hints of the Old Testament prophecy. Probably they'd be reminded of the words of Isaiah.
Isaiah 42:1
"Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations."
Now, it's also important to note that John's baptism was for the repentance of sin. The baptism of Jesus was significant because He is sinless and did not need to repent. And yet he does fulfil this baptism for the sake of all humanity. This act identifies him with all sinners and begins his redemptive work in the world.
Jesus is washed up by John, and now he is praying. We're not told what he prayed this time. Many times before we are allowed to know his prayers but this time we're shown what it was he was praying for, or at least I believe. I believe he was praying for the Spirit of God to come and begin his ministry mission. And The Father came as well.
John 14:16-17
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you."
So here we have the trinity Godhead in all its glory revealed in this prayer. Here we have the love of God and that love relationship that is played out in the Father, Son, and the Spirit of God. One God expressed in three persons. And the power of that relationship descends upon Jesus.
Micah 3:8
"But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might."
And this relationship is present in this moment to reveal for us all that The Spirit of God, and all that is powerful and holy, is present in us as well. You couldn't escape from him if you wanted.
Psalm 139:7
"Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?"
All living things are filled with life by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of faith, comes down. He reveals the things of God. He makes the trinity known to us. He is the witness to the blood sacrifice that is offered for us. He is coeternal amd purifying our souls.
Hebrews 9:14
"How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God."
The Spirit of God is liberating. He breaks the chains of death. With his life restoring power he convicts the world. He gives us life with a word from God. There is life in the word. It is living water as Jesus said.
John 4:14
"Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
His Spirit, the Spirit that makes people born again, gives life. Newborn life. Forgiveness of sin. Holiness from God, not from our own self righteous works. He dwells within every believer, every person of faith who loves God. He comes to live with us, within us. Our hearts are his temple. His blood flows through us. And he gives us power to bear fruit, to serve Him.
Ezekiel 36:27
"And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."
Why?
Why does God do this?
Is it because you are owed his blessing?
What did you do to deserve it?
Of course not. Nothing you did forced The Father to send his Spirit, or to offer his Son as the perfect sacrifice. He did these things so that they will know that He is the Lord.
Every time He decreed something He did it because,
"Then they will know that I am the Lord."
And so here again, a voice from heaven, the Spirit in the form of a dove, and The Son of God in Jesus come because,
"Then they will know that I am the Lord."
John prepared the way for Jesus, Mary bore him in her body. The Spirit descended upon Jesus. And the Father affirmed him with a voice from heaven. All is made ready for our restoration and redemption. Now all is ready for us to come and commit our souls for him. Nothing restraining us but our own rebellion.
The Bible says call upon him for he is near. His Spirit is already in you giving you life. You need only accept his presence. Turn away from grieving him. And turn towards his Son Jesus, our only hope. Turn away from your idols and false notions. Turn to him and be baptized in his forgiveness of sin. And affirm your faith in his redemptive work happening within you.
Pray with him, pray with his Spirit within you.
"Come Holy Spirit, I receive your power. Help me to grow in faith and to become your witness. Convict me concerning sin, righteousness and judgment. In your name Lord, help me to submit to your will. To mature in the trials and struggles of the flesh. Give me your wisdom so that I will know your mind. Give me the mind of Christ to understand your heart. I pray for the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Heal every wounded part of my life Lord, through the power of the Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus I join my prayer with his for the healing and protection of the Spirit to descend upon me and make me whole again in Jesus Christ."
Amen.