January 6, 2016

The Renewal of Water to It's Original State

Luke 3:21-22

When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

Encouraging Words

Why did Jesus get baptized? He didn't have sin in His life to be cleansed. Was it just to establish a symbol for us to identify with? No! Today the Orthodox Christians that follow the new calendar around the world are celebrating Theophany (God revealed), which is the blessing of water by our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a wonderful feast celebration full of teaching and remembrance. The Orthodox Study Bible sums up the purpose of this event very well:

Jesus Himself does not need baptism. In being baptized, our Lord accomplished several things:(1) He affirmed John's ministry; (2) He was revealed by the Father and the Holy Spirit to be the Christ, God's beloved Son; (3) He identified with His people by descending into the waters with them; (4) He prefigured His own death, giving baptism its ultimate meaning; (5) He entered the waters, sanctifying the water itself; (6) He fulfilled the many types given in the OT, as when Moses led the people from bondage through the Red Sea (Ex 14) and when the ark of the covenant was carried into the Jordan so the people could enter the Promised Land (Jos 3; 4); and (7) He opened heaven to a world separated from God through sin.

For this, we glorify our God and the work that He has done!