21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
Jesus came to fulfill all righteousness which would include being baptized. I love the way Scripture states that while “all” the people were being baptized Jesus was too. He came to be in our midst. He came to make His dwelling among us. He is a “with us” God! The text states that He was praying which, of course, Jesus did before many occasions. He is our Supreme example of how we should walk through this life – consistently faithful in prayer. While He was praying, heaven opened up into a glorious high five! This conveys the idea that God was breaking into human history and giving His glorious approval to Jesus. We are told that the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove. The dove is a symbol of peace or freedom from judgment. How appropriate that the Holy Spirit would appear visually in this manner. This was a visible expression of the inward character of Christ. It signified that Jesus would bring salvation (peace) to those who would turn to Him. Can you even imagine the thunderous voice from heaven? I don’t know how they didn’t shake and drop as dead men from fright! I am reminded of what was said about Moses’ encounter with the living God in Hebrews 12:21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear." Heb 12:21 (NIV)
Whenever flawed flesh comes in contact with pure Holiness there is certainly reason for fear! God states that Jesus is His Son – the Son whom He dearly loves and in whom He is enormously pleased. What a confirmation! What a God! I think it is so interesting that all three parts of the Trinity were present giving assent to the plan - all three were in agreement over the next steps in His-story. Again, I am reminded of a verse in Isaiah – a prophecy that Jesus fulfilled: 10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. Isaiah 53:10 (NIV)
Jesus Himself tells us in the Gospel of John: 14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-- 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." John 10:14-18 (NIV)
There is unity in the Trinity - exemplary for the body of Christ. We are called to “bear” with one another; we are called to forgive grievances; we are called to love; we are called to pray for one another; we are called to be a part of one body – the church - of which Christ is the Head. Basically, we are called to just GET ALONG! I think the reason we have such difficulty in this area is that we have a tendency towards two year old behavior! We want what we want when we want it and we get annoyed when someone prevents it. God has an antidote for this in Scripture – Die to self! Over and over in Scripture that is the call. By the way, this is also the ticket for perfect peace in a life! Sound good? It is attainable! God never tells us to do what He has not already done perfectly and of which He also gives us the power to accomplish it. As Paul tells us in Philippians 4:13: 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Phil 4:13 (NIV)