Devotionals for April 24, 2024
REFRESH SERVICE is coming up THIS Saturday, April 27th at 6:30pm! SIGN UP HERE if you need childcare!
READ
Matthew 3:13-17
13 Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”
15 But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him.
16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
13 Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”
15 But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him.
16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
REFLECT
John the Baptist had been sharing with people that Jesus would be coming, and when Jesus came to John to get baptized, John felt unqualified. Jesus came to accomplish God’s mission. He never sinned, but Jesus was confessing sin on behalf of a nation, showing support for what John was doing, and inaugurating Jesus’ public ministry. In the passage above, all three persons of the Holy Trinity are present. God the Father speaks, Jesus, God’s son is baptized, and the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus. What an amazing moment in history! If you review the scripture from yesterday’s devotion, Genesis 1:1-2 you will also read about the Spirit of God hovering over the water. What a connection between The Holy Spirit and water!
APPLY
Q: What was Jesus’ response to John about why he had to be baptized?
Q: Have you been baptized? If not, why not? If so, are you spending time with the Holy Spirit each day?
Q: Who do you know that needs to be baptized? How can you use these verses to encourage them to consider it?
Q: Have you been baptized? If not, why not? If so, are you spending time with the Holy Spirit each day?
Q: Who do you know that needs to be baptized? How can you use these verses to encourage them to consider it?
SING
PRAY
"Give us today our daily bread."
Thank you, Lord, for all the blessings You provide! What a comfort to know we have Your Holy Spirit with us wherever we go. You are so good! Keep me close to you Father and aligned with Your will.
Thank you, Lord, for all the blessings You provide! What a comfort to know we have Your Holy Spirit with us wherever we go. You are so good! Keep me close to you Father and aligned with Your will.