Week 7 - Day 2
THE STORY
Rescue (New Testament)
BAPTISM
Yesterday, we saw how Jesus is God’s Son, called Immanuel, meaning “God is with us.” Today, we will see that Jesus is also King David’s Son. Once again, in the Old Testament God had promised King David that one of his descendants would always be on the throne. Over time, this Rescuer King came to be known as the coming Messiah (the Christ or Anointed One).
Let’s first return to the story of Jesus’ Birth. In particular, listen to the angel’s birth announcement to the shepherds.
Luke 2:1-12 (NLT)
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
What did the angel announce to the shepherds about who Jesus is?
The Gospel writer Luke goes on to say this about Jesus’ boyhood: Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people. (Luke 2:52 - NLT). Eventually, Jesus joins Joseph’s carpentry business. Jesus knew how to price jobs, order stock, work with a saw and a hammer and deal with calloused hands. These were Jesus’ hidden years. When He reaches the age of 30, the time has come for His ministry to go public and His Rescue mission to get started. This happened at Jesus’ Baptism when He was appointed by His Father and anointed by the Spirit to be the Messiah.
Matthew 3:13-17 (NIV)
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
As 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 alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Christians believe that God is a Trinity (Tri-Unity), that is, 3 Divine Persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) in One God. And at Jesus’ Baptism, the whole Trinity is together.
What does the Spirit do for the Son?
What does the Father do for the Son?
At the beginning of His ministry, Jesus receives the filling of God’s Spirit and the affirmation of God the Father. There can now be no doubt that Jesus is the Promised Messiah. He has been appointed by His Father and anointed with the Holy Spirit. And so His public ministry begins.
The Apostle Peter says why the anointing of the Holy Spirit is so significant.
Acts 10:36-38 (NLT)
This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching his message of baptism. And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
From this passage, when did Jesus’ ministry begin?
Where did Jesus’ power come from to do His ministry of healing the sick and setting people free from demonic oppression?
Do you think Jesus did miracles before His baptism? Why or why not?
In light of what you have discovered through the Bible readings and your personal reflections, how will you respond? Finish this sentence: I will …