Day 6

 Luke 3:21-23
21 One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.[a]” 23 Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry. Jesus was known as the son of Joseph. Joseph was the son of Heli.

Also read:
Matthew 3:13-17
Mark 1:9-11

What stands out to you in these sections of scripture?


Here we see three accounts of Jesus’ Baptism. Why 3? Well, it was important in marking the beginning of His public ministry. So far, we have looked at Jesus’ formative years, here his identity as the Son of God is confirmed to those in the crowd. Not only is Jesus setting an example of obedience through baptism He is making it clear that His ministry is not his own but the will and plan of God the Father.

Lets start by asking the question, “What is baptism in the New Testament?”. Clearly its different, on many levels than the way we baptize at Leesburg. When we baptize today, we baptize “in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38/Matthew 28:19). Clearly Jesus didn't share in that baptism for two reasons-
1. He wouldn't be baptized in his own name and
2. He was sinless, so didn't need forgiveness of sins.

Baptism in Jesus’ day was more about alignment with a teacher. When John the baptized people each day, it was their way of saying that they aligned with what John was teaching, They believed in the message that he was preaching about the Messiah coming, they believed that the teacher was one sent by God with a true message. When Jesus is baptized it is his way of affirming the message that John had been preaching. Baptism was about Identification throughout the ministry of Jesus. Not until after His death and resurrection did baptism become about forgiveness of sins and the indwelling of the Spirit.

Jesus aligns himself with John's teaching about the Messiah, which was Jesus, by being baptized and affirming that God is about to do some amazing things!

Jesus said He must be baptized by John because it was “fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness”. What in the world could that mean? Sometimes we don’t fully understand- but nevertheless, we understand enough....Jesus needed to be baptized because it was Gods will.

“And as Jesus was praying…”, did you catch that (Luke 3:21)? Jesus begins to talk with God, and as they talk, “The heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “you are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”

What would it be like for Jesus to hear these things? They are words we all long to hear. Not only from our heavenly father but also our earthly fathers.

• You are mine (thats my boy/girl)
• I love you
• I am pleased with you (Good job! Way to go!)

The words the father speaks here are about identity. The first biblical root that is necessary for a strong foundation is that of understanding our true identity.


A big question that we each must answer:

Do I identify and align with the message of Jesus?



After Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, we see baptism expands its significance. That is what is often called the “baptism of the Spirit”.

Paul explains this baptism in Romans 6:1-4. Take a moment and read it. 

He says that “Christian Baptism” is not just aligning with a teaching, but more-so, being joined into the teaching. Becoming part of the “whole”. He says that when we are baptized, we don't just say, “Yeah, I believe that” but “Yes- and I am dying to myself, buried and raised to a new life! I will have a new identity!”.

Gal. 3:26-27 and 2 Corinthians 5:17 also speak of us being given a new identity. In today's baptism we don't just affirm, but we become something new, someone new.


This leads me to beg the question: Have I submitted my life to Jesus, to allow God to make me something new? After all, I cannot be new- He must make me new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)


This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

Did you know that you are loved by God? Not only are you loved, He wants to call you His child? Did you know that God is pleased with you  when you put your faith in Him (Heb. 11:6)? Without faith, you cannot please God but when you believe with faith that Jesus died for your sins, God is pleased with you and says to you, “You are my child, I love you, and I am pleased with you”.

Today, consider your identity in Christ. Have you aligned yourself with his teachings? Even more-so, have you joined in His death, burial, and resurrection? Are you called a “son/daughter” of God, or have you not yet made that first bold step?

Jesus’ baptism and solidifying his identity start His public ministry. If we are to “walk as Jesus walked”- “making disciples as we go”, it must first start with our alignment and solidifying our identity with God.

Today- consider where you are. What tries to steal your identity? How is the issue of identity such a big issue in our world today? Comment below!

1 If you have never made that first step- Contact one of the ministers at LCC and lets talk today!

2. If you have, Great! Share what you’ve learned today with someone else!

3. A special note to fathers: Our children need to hear these three things from us.  Are you intentional with telling your children this? If there is a void here, they'll crave it elsewhere.... and someone/something will attempt to fill this void...

• You are mine (thats my boy/girl)
• I love you
• I am pleased with you (Good job! Way to go!)

Any other observations? feel free to share below!