By Rev. Gene Brunow

The Gospel for the January 12 program where we celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord is Luke 3:15-22. This text has three short segments. The first deals with the curiosity of the people about John and the Christ and the second with the narrative of Herod and his dislike of John the Baptist. Finally, there is a picture of Jesus’ Baptism and Father and Holy Spirit.

Verse 15 says: “people were in expectation.” They had been waiting for the Savior for a long time. Some were thinking that John might be the Messiah. John sets them straight in a hurry. John’s Baptism was with water, and Jesus would baptize them with fire. In fact, John adds that he is not even qualified to unlatch Jesus’ sandals.

The next section is about Herod and his anger at John for being called out about his illegal marriage to his brother’s wife. It ultimately gets John thrown into prison.

The last part speaks of Jesus being baptized along with others that have come to John. Jesus did not need to be baptized for His sins. He did it so that Scripture would be fulfilled. This showed that Jesus did not skip any part of his Father’s salvation plan. It was perfectly carried out. That means we can be absolutely certain that Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection takes care of our salvation.

A very significant endorsement comes in verse 22. Heaven was opened. The opening of heaven at Jesus’ Baptism means that it will forever be opened to all humanity through the flesh of Christ by the Spirit of Christ. At this time, the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus. Then the crowning touch is when the Father says: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22 ESV).

This text gives us great comfort concerning our salvation. We can have such incredible confidence concerning our eternity in heaven and the strong support we have for our daily life in our Baptism.

This month’s study text:

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

15 As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, 16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

18 So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. 19 But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, 20 added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.

21 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.”

Luke 3:15-22 (ESV)

Reflection:

Think of times in your life when you were living in expectation. Was it because you were in a painful situation you were waiting to end? Were you waiting for test results that had the potential to rearrange your life? Or, were you excited for something good to come that you had been promised?

You can see John struggling with his unworthiness in front of Jesus in this passage. Yet, he still did what was asked of him. How is this a good model for us when we feel that we aren’t worthy to do what God is calling us to do? Do you ever feel like you’re not worthy of being given the work God has put in front of you to do?

When we read that the “heavens were opened,” we are reminded that God comes down to us and that the way to salvation has been won by Him for us. We are not in the position to open heaven or to ascend to our God by our good works and spiritual effort. How is this a comfort to you in your times of spiritual weakness?

Prayer:

Lord, open my eyes to the nature of your kingdom and so move me to live a life worthy of your Gospel by reaching out with the Good News that leads to everlasting life. Amen.

(Prayer taken from the Lutheran Study Bible)

The Rev. Gene Brunow is a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Ind. Find more of his devotionals at genesbrunotes.com.