SCRIPTURE: Luke 3:21-38
Luke ties this moment to the original creation: “Jesus… son of Joseph… son of Adam… son of God.”
Yes, Jesus is the Word of God made flesh, but He is also the fully human son of Adam, son of God.
When God created Adam, God said: “You are my son, and I love you, I am very pleased with you.”
Adam and Eve began life immersed (baptized) in God’s love, surrounded and supported by God all around.
Sadly, they turned on God, and plunged (baptized) the world and their descendents in sin and hell.
From one generation to the next, the world has wallowed in a twisted mess, misery and despair.
So much for the beautiful creation living in the glory of the children of God… now it groans.
In His humility and obedience, Jesus does what Adam and Eve failed to do: live like God, for God!
Now because of Jesus, God’s kingdom (Genesis 1:26-28, this world under good human rule) can unfold.
With Jesus, we are restored as God’s children: “You are my child, and I love you, I am very pleased with you.”
We too can live life immersed (baptized) in God’s love, surrounded and supported by God all around.
We too can live life with God, like God, for God, as His appointed rulers in the world.
The creation itself longs for this (Romans 8:19).
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, help me to see that I am God’s child, and I need to live like it. May the creation (and everyone in it) be immersed in Your blessing because of my footprint in the world.
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
Observations/Application
The Holy Spirit descended upon Him.
I just finished reading where Bezalel and Oholiab filled with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills so that they could make the breastplate and the tabernacle for worship. The Spirit enabled them. The Spirit enabled Christ Jesus. And the Spirit enables His people today to be His people serving Him and serving others. His champions.
Prayer
Lord, fill me with Your Spirit so that I am able each day anew to serve You in all that I do. May others see that I am living for Jesus in all that I do.
Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;
Wean it from earth; through all its pulses move;
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art;
And make me love Thee as I ought to love.
I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,
No sudden rending of the veil of clay,
No angel visitant, no opening skies;
But take the dimness of my soul away.
Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh;
Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear.
To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh,
Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.
Hast Thou not bid me love Thee, God and King?
All, all Thine own, soul, heart and strength and mind.
I see Thy cross; there teach my heart to cling:
O let me seek Thee, and O let me find!
Teach me to love Thee as Thine angels love,
One holy passion filling all my frame;
The kindling of the heaven descended Dove,
My heart an altar, and Thy love the flame.