The Dove Descends

Verses:  Matthew 3:13-17

My thoughts about the verses:

Many of us accept that at the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit Descended on those believers that were gathered.  The Spirit came as a dove of love and peace.  The Holy Spirit was the blessed promise that came from the edge of the water.  John had promised that one greater would come and bring the salvation that they needed.  In that moment when the dove descended on the Believers they felt the long awaited gift.

Many believe that this was the first time that anyone was truly touched by the Holy Spirit.  Yet, I propose that there was one that was touched by the Holy Spirit before Pentecost.  In fact, I propose that there was one day when the trinity became visible for the world.   This was a day when we can become totally aware of the God who is three persons in one. 

Jesus goes to the water to be baptized.  John at first tells him that he should baptize him not the other way around.  Yet, Jesus tells John that he needs to baptize him.  John willingly complies.  Imagine the thoughts going through John’s head.  He knows that he is standing with the Messiah.  He had met him before they were even born.  Yet, here he stands baptizing Jesus in the water. 

Then the miracle happens as Jesus comes out of the water the sky opens.  A dove descends from Heaven and alights on Jesus.  Then a voice from Heaven speaks.  “This is my son in whom I am well pleased.”  It was in this moment that we witness the three aspects of the trinity uniting.

God the Creator declaring that Jesus is the promised Messiah.  Jesus was the son that was sent to save the world from their sin.  The Holy Spirit descending as a dove uniting with Jesus to show us we must humble ourselves to the will of God.  Jesus the Son of God had showed the community gathered that John was speaking the truth. 

We must confess our sins.  Asking God to forgive them and wash them away.  When we ask God to forgive us the blood of Jesus covers our sins.  Then the Holy Spirit comes into our life and guides us. 

When we look at the Baptism of Jesus we can see this occurring.  Jesus did not need to be cleansed of sins.  Which if you notice he doesn’t ask for forgiveness instead he just asks John to baptize him.  Once he comes out of the water he is blessed by God.  When we ask God for forgiveness of our sins we become children God is well pleased in.  The Holy Spirit descends into our life and we are free from all sins that we have or will ever commit.  

Prayer:

We thank you God for your many blessings.  We thank you for your gift of salvation.  We thank you for living within us and guiding us.  Help us turn our life over to you.  Help us accept your free gift of salvation.  Help us walk in your light.  In the name of the Blessed Trinity we pray.  Amen

Questions:

Have you accepted God’s gift of salvation?  Have you submerged yourself in the forgiving power of Jesus?  Do you allow the Holy Spirit to guide your life?  Have you become a child that God is well pleased with?