Lent Day 2 : Matthew 3

 When Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water, and the heavens were opened to him. And he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and hovering over him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son. I am well pleased with him." (Mt. 3:16-17)

◇ Jesus went to John the Baptist, who was baptizing people in the Jordan River, and asked to be baptized himself, even though he was without sin. John initially objected, but Jesus said that it was necessary to fulfill all righteousness. When Jesus came up from the water, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Why did Jesus, who was without sin, get baptized?

And why did Jesus, who was equal to God and without sin, become human and come to this world?

To fulfill God's will. God wanted to save the world that He had created, and Jesus came to this world to fulfill that will. Humans cannot overcome the limitations and desires of this world on their own and cannot go to God. Jesus became human to experience and understand the struggles of humanity, including suffering and temptation, so that He could serve as a bridge between humans and God.

On the cross, Jesus said, "It is finished," meaning that He had overcome all human sins and fulfilled God's will. He became the way to salvation for humanity.

When Jesus came up from the water, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," which was a message for all of humanity. Jesus opened the path for us to become beloved children of God.

♧ Thank you, God, for opening the way for us to become your children. Though it may be narrow, please guide us through the Holy Spirit to follow Jesus to the end. Amen.