Seeing Jesus Clearly

"Today's Devotion" For February 18, 2005

Read: Isaiah 40:1-13
Psalm 98

SEEING JESUS CLEARLY

"...and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove onHim. And a voice from Heaven said, "This is My Son, Whom Ilove; with Him I am well pleased."(Mt. 3:16-17)

The events surrounding Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist have profound meaning for life and living. Jesus' willingness to be baptized by John as a "sign of repentance," when such an act for our Lord was personally unnecessary, is an act of obedience of incredible proportions. In this single act of obedience to the Will of the Father, Jesus identifies Himself with sinful humanity and puts Himself into our shoes in a most defining way. By this act of obedience and love, Jesus' confirms that He is in fact the Savior of the world and our Substitute before the throne of God's grace.

We're not told for certain whether there was a crowd at this baptismal event, although Luke's account (Lk.3:21) suggests there were at least some people present. Matthew tells us that the heavens opened when Jesus came out of the water, His Father declared Him to be His beloved Son in which He was well pleased, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove (a symbol of God's peace extended to sinful humanity through Christ). We know that John saw and heard this phenomenon, as he testifies in John 1:32. Perhaps God graciously allowed other persons present to see this marvelous testimony that their Messiah had come. Whatever the situation with the crowd, the next day John could say plainly and boldly to all who would listen, and see, that Jesus is "the Lamb of God, who takes away the Sin of the world" (Jn. 1:29).

While almost two millennia removed from this event, God clearly wants us to be aware of both its occurrence and its very real meaning for us in our lives of faith. We have the testimony of John, the washing of Holy Baptism, and the power of the Word and Spirit, which have revealed, and continue to reveal to us our Savior from the power of Sin, Death, and Satan. We are led to plainly see that Jesus Christ is our Savior from Sin and the Lord of Life who has overcome death and the grave for us. We have seen and heard the testimony of our Father in heaven about who Jesus is, so that in our daily lives, as He daily forgives our sins and strengthens our faith in Him, we may be empowered to live in His love and share His peace with the world. In times of trouble, despair, frustration, depression, the death of a loved one, and all the myriad challenges and stumbling blocks to faith and a relationship with God that come to us in our lives, God's loving kindness becomes evident each day in Jesus. We have peace with God because we know and believe that Jesus is "the Lamb of God, who takes away the Sin of the world." Our eyes are opened by God's Spirit so that we see Jesus plainly, might share His love boldly, and be blessed in our living in Him.

Prayer: Father, You revealed Jesus to me when You brought me into Your kingdom in Holy Baptism. Each day, as I spend time with You in the Your Word, You help me by Your Holy Spirit to see plainly Your love, grace, mercy and forgivness that is mine in Christ. Forgive me, Father, for so often ignoringYou and forgetting these blessings. Help me to live a life that not only reflects Your love for me in Jesus, but also shares that love with others so that Jesus might be clearly revealed to others through me. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright (c) 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.