I often take pictures on my early morning walks. It is an incredible sight to behold the sun coming up, the clouds moving around, the reflections of the two sometimes takes your breath away. Look more closely at this picture. What do you see? I didn’t notice it initially; I was looking at the morning colors. But after gazing for a minute, the image came to life.
I see a dove, wings expanded, feet coiled under, head forward, descending. Wow! Is this the verse that came to your mind too?
When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”
Matthew 3:16-17
God had appointed John the Baptist as the forerunner, the herald, the harbinger, the preparer of people, the one to ready and enact the plan and announce to the world that Jesus was coming. That after nearly 700 years, the Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, the Root of Jesse, the ONE they had been waiting was come. Jesus.
John’s ministry was to tell folks to get ready, Jesus was coming. John’s ministry of baptism was with water for those who turn from their sins and turn to God. For those who committed to change. John told them: people get ready, there is someone coming so much greater than me, I’m not even worthy to be his slave. And this ONE will baptize with the Holy Spirit and in the fire.
He is ready to separate the chaff from the grain with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, storing the grain in his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire. Matthew 3:12
And then John was called to baptize Jesus. Not because Jesus was a sinner, just the opposite. He was the sinless, spotless lamb, who came to take away the sins of the world. Jesus, the ONE who would take our place on the cross. Jesus, the only ONE who could take away our sins. Jesus, the only righteous ONE.
When I looked at this picture, that’s what I thought about. Jesus came up out of the water, the Heavens opened up, and the Spirit of God descended like a dove on Him. Hallelujah!
O what a wonderful, wonderful day
Day I will never forget
After I’d wandered in darkness away
Jesus my Saviour I met
O what a tender, compassionate friend
He met the need of my heart
Shadows dispelling, with joy I am telling
He made all the darkness depart
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul
When at the cross my Saviour made me whole
My sins were washed away
And my night was turned to day
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul
Born of the Spirit with life from above
Into God’s fam’ly divine
Justified fully thru Calvary’s love
O what a standing is mine
And the transaction so quickly was made
When as a sinner I came
Took of the offer of grace He did proffer
He saved me, O praise His dear name
Now I’ve a hope that will surely endure
After the passing of time
I have a future in heaven for sure
There in those mansions sublime
And it’s because of that wonderful day
When at the cross I believed
Riches eternal and blessings supernal
From His precious hand I received
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul
When at the cross my Saviour made me whole
My sins were washed away
And my night was turned to day
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul