Luke 3:21-28 | Hebrews 6:1-3
Jesus’ solidarity with humanity and experience as a human is often underplayed. He is the son of God, the Messiah, and savior of the world. Indeed.
But his humanity is remarkable. Time and time again, he chose the path of humanity.
“When everyone was being baptized, Jesus was also baptized.”
Whether or not Jesus had to be baptized is up for question. Scripture certainly seems to indicate he didn’t need salvation from the culpability of sin. But he was baptized, regardless. Even before taking the cross, Jesus willingly entered into the waters of baptism in solidarity with humanity. What do you make of this?
Not completely an aside: Luke’s well-ordered account continues with a detailed genealogy. His wording is interesting though, beginning the genealogy with the words, “as was supposed…”. Luke is detailed, but not definitive here.
Luke 3:21-28
When everyone was being baptized, Jesus also was baptized. While he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit came down on him in bodily form like a dove. And there was a voice from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I dearly love; in you I find happiness.”
Jesus was about 30 years old when he began his ministry. People supposed that he was the son of Joseph son of Heli son of Matthat son of Levi son of Melchi son of Jannai son of Joseph son of Mattathias son of Amos son of Nahum son of Esli son of Naggai son of Maath son of Mattathias son of Semein son of Josech son of Joda son of Joanan son of Rhesa son of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel son of Neri son of Melchi son of Addi son of Cosam son of Elmadam son of Er son of Joshua son of Eliezer son of Jorim son of Matthat son of Levi son of Simeon son of Judah son of Joseph son of Jonam son of Eliakim son of Melea son of Menna son of Mattatha son of Nathan son of David son of Jesse son of Obed son of Boaz son of Sala son of Nahshon son of Amminadab son of Admin son of Arni son of Hezron son of Perez son of Judah son of Jacob son of Isaac son of Abraham son of Terah son of Nahor son of Serug son of Reu son of Peleg son of Eber son of Shelah son of Cainan son of Arphaxad son of Shem son of Noah son of Lamech son of Methuselah son of Enoch son of Jared son of Mahalalel son of Cainan son of Enos son of Seth son of Adam son of God.
Hebrews 6:1-3
So let’s press on to maturity, by moving on from the basics about Christ’s word. Let’s not lay a foundation of turning away from dead works, of faith in God, of teaching about ritual ways to wash with water, laying on of hands, the resurrection from the dead, and eternal judgment—all over again. We’re going to press on, if God allows it.
Prayer
God,
Thank you again for two main things: Jesus and this day.
Help me combine these two great things as I do the things in front of me. Make my day as ordinary as possible, as ordinary as God living in a human being, for that is what I desire. Just like Jesus.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.