you are my Son

Luke 3 v 21 - 22

When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

We've noted before how striking John's baptism was in the fact he was baptising Jews. Now, perhaps, we can get a sense of the shock factor. Because here it is Jesus being baptised. With hindsight and the New Testament and all that we know, to find Jesus being baptised is unexpected, and also carries a great deal of pathos. Here, the Son of God, is identifying with the people by going through this same process. He, without sin, is identifying himself with sinners.

And it is at the time of baptism that we get this amazing affirmation of his identity, by his Father. After the baptism, Luke says, as Jesus is praying, heaven opens, and the Holy Spirit descends 'in bodily form like a dove'. Jesus is being equipped here for his public ministry. Something is beginning; something is happening. (This is underlined by the next verse: Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry - v23).

This affirmation of identity and gift of the Holy Spirit prepare Jesus for what follows - this unified vision of the Godhead to save humankind. The Father shows his love and favour for the Son, and the Spirit equips him for the task ahead.