People were looking for a Messiah. They had been looking for quite some time. There had been quite a few people, as a matter of fact, who had volunteered to the remnant of Israel the idea that they were this Messiah. Those claims were proven false, one by one, by the failure of the imposters to meet the prophetic tests, to exhibit the prophetic power, and to lead the people of God in the way that this king was expected to lead.
Which is what made John so interesting. He acted like the one. He sounded like the One. Yet, unlike the others, he categorically denied that he was the one.
As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah,
John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
When the One came, he did not have to identify himself. He did not depend upon the people to immediately recognize him. The identity of the One was revealed by the One who was best situated to know.
Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
How this One experienced time before his birth is unlike anything any other human has experienced. Yet from the time of his birth, he has been willing to experience everything that we experience. He set aside royal privilege: no birth in a palace; no growing up with a royal entourage of nurses, tutors, trainers, and counselors; no robe, ring, nor crown, or other signs of wealth, power, and advantage. In humility he does everything he asks us to do. He even undergoes baptism, not because he has any need for that which it accomplishes, but so we can identify with him and he with us.
This humble servant is the One that the Father and the Spirit identify as the Son.
Today, how can we identify our lives and our ministry with the life of Jesus? What actions of his will we imitate? What thing can we do that reveals to others that we work alongside a living and active God?
Grace and peace,
Ron
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
