Pastor Devotions – Baptized to Help the Poor and Needy

By Rev. Timothy Sandeno

St. Johns Lutheran Church and School

This past Sunday, many of our churches celebrated the Baptism of our Lord and read Matthew 3:13-17 during the service. Being nestled close to Epiphany on January 6, it is a beautiful revealing of who Jesus truly is as the Father’s voice booms from heaven, “This is my beloved Son, with who I am well pleased.” 

This event has several precursors in the Old Testament, events that foreshadow Jesus in the waters with the Holy Spirit descending upon Him. The first verses of Genesis describe the Spirit of God hovering over the waters as the creation was being formed (Gen. 1:2). Exodus 14 describes the angel of God with the pillar of cloud that was between Egypt and Israel as Israel passed through the Red Sea. Additionally, Joshua 3 is the account of Israel passing through the Jordan as they enter the promised land. Each of these are foreshadowings of holy baptism in which we see the presence of God above the waters: as the Spirit hovers, in the cloud, and upon the Ark. In these precursors we see creation, deliverance, and the promise fulfilled. 

In the baptism of Jesus something significantly different happens as the Lord is not only present, but He enters the water. His entrance into the water marks a change in the manner of God’s presence. He steps into the water and submits to a baptism intended for sinners. He humbles Himself to assume the status as sinner. He is Immanuel, but not just God in human form, He is the God who assumes the iniquity and guilt of His beloved people ( 2 Corinthians 5:21) and sanctifies the waters of the world for their baptism.

With this action, the Father is well pleased with His Son, for it is in this fulfilling of all righteousness that a great exchange is underway. It is here that a new creation finds its beginning (John 3:5-8), a deliverance is inaugurated (1 Peter 3:21-22), and peace and rest for the Christian finds assurance (Romans 6:3-5). May you be uplifted and encouraged this day with all confidence in He whose name you bear, for it was all done for your salvation (Titus 3:4-7).