Matthew 3:13-17 The Spirit rests on God's promised King

theological

Continuing on in Matthew today, the first in the series is here, and the last thread is here.

Today's passage is short, but it has a lot of content jammed into a few verses:

Matthew 3:13-17 wrote:

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

A few things struck out at me from this passage.


John's rightful reluctance:
This is one of the continuing themes from the previous passage. In verse 11 we saw that John says that he isn't even worthy to undo Jesus' sandals. John is acutely aware of his role in salvation history as the messenger who prepares the way. Jesus comes to him to be baptised and John says that he needs Jesus' baptism, but he yields to Jesus when Jesus says it is necessary to fulfil all righteousness (verse 15).

The Trinity is displayed in unison:
This passage is a clear display of the triune God. We see Jesus the Son in the water, we see the Spirit descending like a dove (verse 16) and we see the Father voice authenticating the Son in verse 17 by saying He is well pleased. This event marks out the striking difference between Jesus' baptism and John's baptism.

The Spirit rests on Jesus:
In verse 16 when we see the Spirit of God resting on Jesus we might be led to think that this is a very ordinary Biblical detail but it is pointing to Isaiah 11:1-2 which says that the Spirit will rest on the Messiah. This is different to how we see the Spirit in the Old Testament, particularly when we see King Saul in 1 Kings. The Spirit is with Saul for as long as he is obedient to God, but then the Spirit leaves him when he disobeys Him. The Spirit will stay with this King, Jesus and not only will it stay with Him, but His baptism offers God's Spirit freely to those who trust in Him.

Some thoughts for prayers:
Thank you Father that you show us a humble response to you in John the Baptist. Please help us to know our rightful place and Jesus' rightful place in our lives as our Lord. Forgive us when we've made light of who you are.
Thank you God for how you work in perfect relationship to fulfil your sovereign aims in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Please help us to live in light of these aims.
Thank you Father for giving us your Son Jesus, who lived as the perfect King and who gives your Holy Spirit freely to renew our lives. Holy Spirit, please help us not to take your role in our lives for granted, please make us more like Jesus as we read your word. Help it to change our lives.

corks finest

theological wrote: »

Continuing on in Matthew today, the first in the series is here, and the last thread is here.

Today's passage is short, but it has a lot of content jammed into a few verses:


A few things struck out at me from this passage.


John's rightful reluctance:
This is one of the continuing themes from the previous passage. In verse 11 we saw that John says that he isn't even worthy to undo Jesus' sandals. John is acutely aware of his role in salvation history as the messenger who prepares the way. Jesus comes to him to be baptised and John says that he needs Jesus' baptism, but he yields to Jesus when Jesus says it is necessary to fulfil all righteousness (verse 15).

The Trinity is displayed in unison:
This passage is a clear display of the triune God. We see Jesus the Son in the water, we see the Spirit descending like a dove (verse 16) and we see the Father voice authenticating the Son in verse 17 by saying He is well pleased. This event marks out the striking difference between Jesus' baptism and John's baptism.

The Spirit rests on Jesus:
In verse 16 when we see the Spirit of God resting on Jesus we might be led to think that this is a very ordinary Biblical detail but it is pointing to Isaiah 11:1-2 which says that the Spirit will rest on the Messiah. This is different to how we see the Spirit in the Old Testament, particularly when we see King Saul in 1 Kings. The Spirit is with Saul for as long as he is obedient to God, but then the Spirit leaves him when he disobeys Him. The Spirit will stay with this King, Jesus and not only will it stay with Him, but His baptism offers God's Spirit freely to those who trust in Him.

Some thoughts for prayers:
Thank you Father that you show us a humble response to you in John the Baptist. Please help us to know our rightful place and Jesus' rightful place in our lives as our Lord. Forgive us when we've made light of who you are.
Thank you God for how you work in perfect relationship to fulfil your sovereign aims in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Please help us to live in light of these aims.
Thank you Father for giving us your Son Jesus, who lived as the perfect King and who gives your Holy Spirit freely to renew our lives. Holy Spirit, please help us not to take your role in our lives for granted, please make us more like Jesus as we read your word. Help it to change our lives.

Jesus and not only will it stay with Him, but His baptism offers God's Spirit freely to those who trust in Him.
That particular part rings true for me