Luke 1-3

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.” (Luke‬ ‭3:21-22‬) Luke’s gospel follows Mark’s gospel in this respect. See Mark, chapter 1, verse 11.

According to Luke’s gospel, the voice from heaven at Jesus’ baptism communicates a personal message and perhaps a private one, also, “You are my Son...” (italics mine)

Matthew’s gospel puts it this way: “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’” (Matthew‬ ‭3:16-17‬, italics mine) The heavenly voice announces Jesus’ identity to others publicly, not as a personal communication with Jesus. The way Matthew records it, it feels to me as if the voice intends to convince the public of Jesus’ identity as God’s divine son or, at least, to convince Matthew’s readers of the same. Whether Jesus is convinced or not does not seem to be an issue for Matthew.

It feels to me as if Mark’s and Luke’s account of the event makes Jesus seem more human, as if Jesus may have doubted his identity and calling and so needed an encouraging word: “Yes, you are who I say you are. I call you out to be who you are and to do as I say.” Jesus’ identity as God’s divine son is clearly grounded in the heavenly communication, but Jesus, the human, is addressed at the same time.  

This scripture is encouraging to me, for I struggle with my identity at times, too. Who am I? At times I lose focus on my calling. How am I to be? What am I to do? In those times I can console myself with the knowledge that a voice from heaven spoke a reassuring word to Jesus, giving him the impetus to go forward with his life and ministry. God speaks to me, also, through Luke’s gospel: “You are my beloved son, Roger. You please me well.”

Today, I thank God for all of the people who have encouraged me from time to time, saying things such as this: “You are a good man,” “God has a plan for you,” “You did that well,” or even, “You will do better than that!” God speaks to me through you.

I feel very blessed indeed.