Devotional Day 3 for Wednesday 3/3

New Testament Reading: Luke 3
Old Testament Reading: Psalm 118:17-19

In Luke 3, we find an amazing verse.

"Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."  (Luke 3:21-22)

John the Baptist had appeared on the scene proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  He preached the word of the Lord powerfully - many people realized their sin, turned to God, and were baptized.  Some people thought John was the Christ, the Anointed One or Messiah.  John assured them he wasn't.  He pointed to one who was coming, one who would judge the world (vs. 17) and baptize (immerse, submerge) people with the Holy Spirit (vs. 16).

Jesus told people to repent and proclaimed that he could forgive sins.  Unlike John, who told people to turn to God.  Jesus said, "Turn to me."  He was God.  Yet, he was also man, and as a man he prayed.  When he prayed, the Holy Spirit fell on him.  The presence of the Holy Spirit in this physically tangible way was affirmation of Jesus' relationship with the Father.  He was the beloved Son of God in who the Father was well pleased.

Incredibly, Jesus told his followers that if they asked for the Holy Spirit; they would receive the same experience he did (Luke 11:13).  Paul wrote that God, "Sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba, Father!'"  The Holy Spirit not only empowers us to live like Jesus but confirms to our hearts that we are God's sons and daughters.  That was Jesus' experience and it can be ours.

Thank you Jesus for sending the Holy Spirit!  Keep filling us with your love and power by the Spirit's work.

"Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord."  (Psalm 118:19)