https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20260112ECME.mp3

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.”

Matthew 3:16-17

Have you noticed that the dove appears frequently in the Bible? The dove is a symbol of peace and purity. After the rains stopped, Noah sent a dove out of the ark, and that dove came back with another sign of peace, the olive branch. Doves were also used in the Old Testament when God’s people made sacrifices. So, we see the dove pictured in our church banners, Christian art, and at baptisms.

When God the Holy Spirit descended to Jesus as a dove after his baptism, we are reminded of peace and innocence. Jesus did not sin. He did not ever do anything wrong and therefore did not need forgiveness.

So, it seems strange that Jesus would need to be baptized. We need to be baptized because we’re born sinners. We cannot possibly live without sinful thoughts. We cannot possibly go a single day without doing something that hurts others. But Jesus was perfect! He never sinned!

And yet, this was how God wanted Jesus to begin his public ministry. Jesus took our sins upon himself. He became a sinner for us. In part, Jesus’ baptism shows us that he was the one who came to do the job of taking our sins away.

This would not be an easy mission. So, at Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit gave Jesus gifts to fulfill his work. And God the Father assured his Son that even though he would be judged for our sin, the Father was still pleased with his Son.

Sound familiar? When we think of Jesus’ baptism, let us think of our own.

Let us remember that we are God’s children, who are loved, saved, and wrapped in the Father’s arms. Because of Christ and our baptism, God the Father is well-pleased with us!

Let us rejoice that the Holy Spirit equips us to carry out the work that God has laid before us. Just as he gave Jesus’ power at Jesus’ baptism, so God the Holy Spirit gives us special gifts, too, through our baptism! God knows all of our weaknesses and gives us the strength to carry out his work.

Let us step into each day remembering that through Jesus’ innocence, we can live a new life until we enjoy the feast of heaven, praising the one who lived a pure life in our place.

Dear Jesus,