Matthew 3:13-17—God accepts Jesus as His Son at His
baptism. The Epiphany season deals with
the manifestation of God’s glory in Jesus. At Jesus’ baptism, God is glorified
in Jesus by the voice of God declaring Jesus as His Son, and by the appearance
of the dove, indicating the gift of the Spirit.
Jesus received the Spirit and was declared by God to be His
Son. Matthew’s account of Jesus’ baptism differs in two ways from the other
Synoptic accounts. Matthew tells of John’s reluctance to baptize Jesus who
insists upon it in order that He might fulfill righteousness and identify with
all who need repentance. The big question is, if Jesus were sinless why would He
want John’s baptism of repentance? The other difference is that God’s voice of
acceptance and approval of Jesus is addressed to the spectators: “This is my
beloved Son.” Mark and Luke make it a personal experience: “Thou art my beloved Son.”
Just
as God, the Father initiated the earthly ministry of H8is Son with the
miraculous appearance of the Spirit and the Sacrament of Holy Baptism; so we
initiate our pilgrimage through life when the Word and the Sacraments
miraculously create faith in us at our baptism. The Holy Spirit does this all
as gift.
John
the baptizer underscores the life and death urgency of baptism for us and our
loved ones and for those to come at the baptism of Jesus. The living God as
Father, Son and Spirit reveals Himself at the baptism of Jesus and in our baptism.
As
the Father rejoiced at the baptism of His Son in whom He was well pleased, we
can rejoice that our children, loved ones, and we have become well pleased to
God through baptism.
Collects for Epiphany: Lord God, on this day you revealed
your Son to the nations by the leading of a star. Lead us now by faith to know
your presence in our lives and bring us at last to the full vision of your
glory.”
Father,
You revealed Your Son to the nations by the guidance of a star. Lead us to Your
glory in heaven by the light of faith. We ask this through our Lord Jesus
Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God,
forever and ever.
Father, You make known the salvation of mankind at the birth of Your Son. Make us strong in faith and bring us to the glory You promise. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives, and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.[2]
[1]
The Baptism of our Lord, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2]
Collects for the Epiphany of our Lord, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St.
Louis
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