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LUKE - Christ, the Savior of the World
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to Luke
2. Christ's Baptism, Consecration as Christ, and Genealogy (Luke 3:21-38)
LUKE 3:21-22
21 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. 22 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.”
The Judge of all, the Lord of the worlds, about whom John the Baptist prophesied, is Jesus of Nazareth. He mixed with the multitudes of people who crowded at the banks of the Jordan yet without being noticed by anyone. The astonishing thing is that the Holy One, though sinless himself, classed himself with sinners, and submitted to the baptism of John, as if he needed to be purified from sins. However, Christ, the pure Holy One lived a constantly sinless life, continued in love and patience. He was baptized for us in the Jordan, for he bore our sins. From the beginning of his appearance, he was hailed by John as the Lamb of God; and in his baptism he demonstrated what he was determined to finish on the cross.
He who was born of the Holy Spirit did not come out of his obscurity with an exciting miracle, or a loud-voiced speech, but in the symbol of baptism of redemption for all men, he confirmed the meaning of his mission and his harmony with God’s design. After his baptism, he spoke with his Father about this redemptive design, with prayer and humility. Then the closed heavens parted, and the Holy Spirit came down, not as a destroying thunderbolt over corrupt mankind, but in the form of a dove (a symbol of innocence and harmlessness, a messenger of peace), as an indication of reconciliation with God. Christ was not in need of baptism with the Holy Spirit, for he himself is the Spirit of God made incarnate. However his Father spread through him the fullness of his Spirit, to confirm and support him in his redemptive mission, and to reveal his harmonization with the Holy Spirit in the unity of the Holy Trinity. God completely seeks our salvation. Have you thanked him for this unequalled revelation?
God revealed his glory not only to the eyes of Jesus and the Baptist, but also to their ears, for the word of God contains all his authority expressed in meanings we can understand. The Father testified his own Fatherhood, Jesus’ sonship, and their complete unity in joyful love. Therefore the little words revealed after Christ’s baptism show us the glory of the essence of the Holy Trinity more than all human philosophies do. There is no enmity, disturbance, or sorrow between the Father and the Son, for Christ has always done his Father’s will. Our God is the God of peace, love, and joy.
These truths reveal to us the aim of Christ’s redemption, for he wishes to make all believers grow into his likeness, so that God may become our Father in heaven, and we become filled with his Holy Spirit, living in harmony with his will for the Father’s pleasure, and continuing in his love and peace. What spirit is at work in you? Were you baptized with the Holy Spirit indeed? Did you fulfill his design in his mighty power? Then God says to you, “You are my beloved son; in you I am well pleased.”
PRAYER: Our Father, Son and Holy Spirit, hallowed be your name through our baptism with your love, and our fullness and continuance in your will. Please forgive us our selfishness and independence from you. Urge us to deny ourselves, and help us to bring reconciliation to many, so that the heavens may part over our nation, raining many blessings on us.
QUESTION 34: What do we learn from Christ’s baptism?