January 13, 2026
The Baptism of Our Lord - Part 2
Matthew 3:16-17
01/13/2026
16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went
up from the water, and behold, the heavens were
opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;
17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, ``This is my
beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. (ESV)
Last Sunday we prayed:
Father in heaven, at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
River You proclaimed Him Your beloved Son and anointed
Him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized in
His name faithful in their calling as Your children and
inheritors with Him of everlasting life.
In the ancient Church, the celebration of the Epiphany, of
the revealing of Jesus as the Son of God, was centered on three
events. The first was the visit of the Wise Men, the Magi, and
the presentation of their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
The second was the Baptism of Jesus. The third was the Wedding
of Cana where Jesus performed His first miracle.
In the Baptism of Jesus, where He willingly placed Himself
under the Law so to fulfill the Law on our behalf, we see all
three persons of the Trinity.
And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up
from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to
him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a
dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice
from heaven said, ``This is my beloved Son, with whom I
am well pleased.
All four Gospel accounts speak of the Trinity, of the Spirit
resting on Jesus, of the voice of the Father. The three Persons
of the Triune God are in agreement, the salvation of all people
is in accordance with God's will.
May our Lord grant that we hear the voice of the Father who
accepts the sacrifice of His Son for our redemption from sin and
death. Amen.