21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
23 Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his work. He was the son (as was thought) of Joseph son of Heli, 24 son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Melchi, son of Jannai, son of Joseph, 25 son of Mattathias, son of Amos, son of Nahum, son of Esli, son of Naggai, 26 son of Maath, son of Mattathias, son of Semein, son of Josech, son of Joda, 27 son of Joanan, son of Rhesa, son of Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, son of Neri, 28 son of Melchi, son of Addi, son of Cosam, son of Elmadam, son of Er, 29 son of Joshua, son of Eliezer, son of Jorim, son of Matthat, son of Levi, 30 son of Simeon, son of Judah, son of Joseph, son of Jonam, son of Eliakim, 31 son of Melea, son of Menna, son of Mattatha, son of Nathan, son of David, 32 son of Jesse, son of Obed, son of Boaz, son of Sala, son of Nahshon, 33 son of Amminadab, son of Admin, son of Arni, son of Hezron, son of Perez, son of Judah, 34 son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, son of Terah, son of Nahor, 35 son of Serug, son of Reu, son of Peleg, son of Eber, son of Shelah, 36 son of Cainan, son of Arphaxad, son of Shem, son of Noah, son of Lamech, 37 son of Methuselah, son of Enoch, son of Jared, son of Mahalaleel, son of Cainan, 38 son of Enos, son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God”
Luke 3:21-38.
Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist in what can only be described as a stunning action. At Jesus’ baptism He is clearly identified as the Son of God, the Beloved of God. How stunning that Jesus, the Beloved Son of God, identifies Himself with an action – Baptism – that is needed for sinners. So Jesus identifies Himself with sinners but never sins.
There are 5 great genealogies in the Bible: Genesis 5; Ruth 4; 1 Chronicles 1-9; Matthew 1; and Luke 3. Genealogies show your standing as one of God’s chosen ones, one of God’s children. Luke’s genealogy traces Jesus back to Adam, suggesting that Jesus belongs to all people, and all people belong to Jesus.
All of the world needs to see the importance of these verses, especially the Christian churches. Jesus identifies Himself as belonging to all people, and all people belong to Him! All humanity is part of the family of God. This suggests to me that all should receive the full grace of the Christian churches, all of the sacramental graces. We cannot identify the sins of some and throw them away from the church and the graces of God. Why? Because Jesus identified himself with everyone, but not our sins. If some in our community are not welcome to our church, then none of us is worthy to belong to the church of Jesus Christ! After all, who among us is without sin? Is not every church a house of sinners?
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” Hebrews 4:16.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” Ephesians 2:8.
“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” James 4:6.
“But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace” Romans 11:6.
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