“This Is My Son, Whom I Love”

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Matthew 3:13-17

Before the world was ever created, God was a trinity (God, Son, and Holy Spirit) – all loving each other and being loved. When Jesus was baptized. God sent his Spirt in the form of a dove and said. “This is my Son, Whom I love.” The most foundational aspect of God’s identity is this outgoing, life-giving love.

What a lovely and encouraging truth this is about our God! The mutual, outgoing love expressed by each member of the Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – is key to understanding the nature of God. What was God doing before the beginning of time? What He always does: He was loving because He is love.

We are created in the image of a God who is loving and relational.

Our Daily Bread – May 4, 2018