Baptismal Affirmations

¹³Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. ¹⁴But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
 ¹⁵Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.
 ¹⁶As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. ¹⁷And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
Matthew 3:13-17


I'm always amazed when I read this passage. Jesus is baptized, a special moment in the life of a Christ-follower, when a voice from heaven speaks words of encouragement and affirmation. God proudly claims parenthood of Jesus. He confirms his love and acceptance of Jesus.




The timing here is important. Jesus has not even begun his ministry. Right after this he will go into the desert to fast and be tempted by Satan. Then he will begin preaching and calling his disciples. He hasn't even done anything yet--no miracles, no official preaching. But God is pleased with his Son.


This little story helps me see the relationship between God and Jesus in a new light. Too often I view God as all-powerful and all-knowing. He's the busy CEO, keeping the universe on tract, listening to a prayer here, rescuing people from burning buildings there. Sometimes it's hard for me to see God as Jesus' father. The father who takes time out from running the universe to come to Jesus' baptism. The father who is not afraid to say "I love you" in front of a crowd of people. The father who takes pride in his child, who delights in his son. God seems genuinely thrilled with Jesus and bursts out in a spontaneous chorus of love in front of . . . well, God and everyone.


There are moments when I'm just overwhelmed by love for my children. I just have to reach out and hug them and tell them I love them. Usually I just grab them out of the blue. Carter wiggles away and says "That was random." Sometimes I'll be dropping them off at school and in the middle of a crowd of kids I'll call out, "I love you, Bubbers." And Carter will say under his breath, "Mom, don't say that here! You're embarrassing me."


They don't understand what it is like to have a child a separate person who came from you. A person with unique thoughts and a will of his own, yet wholly amazing. A parent's love for a child is not based upon their performance. They haven't done anything yet. They don't have a job, haven't written a book, or brought about world peace. I love my kids because they are mine.


The scripture doesn't record Jesus reaction, but I can imagine he had a huge smile on his face. He didn't hang his head in embarrassment or look around to see who had heard. He was secure in his Father's love.


When I read that this is how God feels about Jesus. It helps me believe that God feels this way about me too. Through Jesus Christ, I am adopted by God; I'm his child. Sometimes, I put my own name in the verse. "This is my daughter, Andrea, whom I love, with her I am well-pleased." 


Sisters, may you experience the love and acceptance of God in your own life. May you feel God's delight in you. You are his beloved daughter, in whom he is well-pleased.