Waiting for the Beloved
For Meditation
In our “Waiting for the King” series, we’ve been meditating on what it means to wait. We began by looking at some parables of Jesus from the book of Matthew, listening to Jesus' guidance about how we wait for his second coming. We then shifted to the beginning of Matthew, putting ourselves in the shoes of those who waited for the Messiah’s first appearing. This Sunday, we conclude our series with the story of Jesus’ baptism from Matthew 3:13-17. Appropriately, January 12 is also the feast day that the global church commemorates the Baptism of Jesus.
Only two of the four gospels tell the story of Jesus’ birth. But all four gospels include the story of Jesus’ baptism, so central it is to the narrative of the Messiah. It’s important for a couple of reasons. First, because Jesus’ baptism is the official start of his public ministry. Up to this point, he’s lived in relative obscurity in a backwater town of Nazareth. Second, because Jesus’ baptism clarifies his identity, not only as the one that John the Baptist has been preaching about, but also as the one who is “the Beloved” of the Father. This event is one of the rare moments that we see and hear in a tangible way all three persons of the Trinity active at once.
The story of Jesus’ baptism focuses on the theme of identity. This Sunday, we’ll explore what this story tells us about Jesus’ unique identity as the “Beloved Son of the Father,” but we will also explore what Jesus’ baptism tells us about our own identity as those who are baptized into Christ and beloved in Him.
As you begin a new year (and a new decade!), where do you mainly find your identity? Your achievements? Reputation? Net worth? Familial relationships? Or in your identity as God’s beloved in Christ?
Matthew 3:13 - 4:1
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.