Observations:
I asked myself who are all the CHARACTERS involved?
1. Jesus
2. John
3. Spirit
4. Voice

Observations/Interpretations:
I asked myself what happened as Jesus was coming up out of the water!
I found it fascinating that 3 claims were being made because of Jesus' actions:

1. Jesus saw heaven being torn open.
2. Jesus saw the Spirit descending on Him like a Dove.
3. A voice came from heaven

I asked myself what is the significance of each point?

Point 1: Jesus saw heaven being torn open.
That is so amazing that Jesus saw heaven being torn open because He was baptized in the Jordan by John, the Baptist. Heaven opened as Jesus identified with humanity when He was willing to be baptized. Not only that but something remarkable happened which is evident in Point 2.

Point 2:  ‘Jesus saw the Spirit descending on Him like a Dove!’

When the heaven was torn open and the Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove, I was reminded of Jesus as the Prince of Peace because dove is usually seen as a symbol of peace.  This is the first instance we see the Spirit descending on Jesus after Jesus was willing to be baptized. The crowds who were there witnessed it too as revealed in another Gospel. It did not end there which is evident by Point 3.

Point 3: A voice came from heaven.

I asked myself what was the content of the voice's message and the significance of each point?

After the Spirit descended on Jesus, the voice said 3 claims:

 I decided to look at these 3 statements:

Statement 1: You are my Son.

The voice is giving identity to Jesus for humans benefit. I believe even as Jesus began to relate with humanity, the voice made many in the crowd to realize Jesus has characteristics of divinity. All of the people there were probably Jews who were waiting and expecting a Messiah to deliver them from Rome from what they have been going through. Now Jesus comes up out of the water after being baptized and a voice says, 'You are my Son'.

This has to remind people of the prophesy again from the Book of Isaiah specifically Isaiah 9:6 which states, "For to us a child is born, to us a SON is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, PRINCE OF PEACE." Jesus is referred to there as MIGHTY GOD and also EVERLASTING FATHER to reveal characteristics of His divinity even in His humanity as He walked the earth.

The voice does not stop there which is evident by point 2.

Statement 2: Whom I love.

This is so cool to know that the voice actually lets Jesus know that He is loved. It can be an awesome feeling when someone tells you that they love you. It gives a sense of belonging and worthiness. I believe the voice is speaking to the crowds already there including John, the Baptist to let them know that Jesus is the One they have been waiting for. Emphasis is placed on love after Jesus is baptized. The voice can be inferred to as God's voice who lets Jesus, His Son know that He is loved. It does not end with statement 2 which is evident by point 3.

Statement 3: With you I am well pleased.

Jesus is being praised by the voice for His actions. The voice is not just pleased but well pleased to emphasize the complete praise given to His Son. Jesus knows that and those around could have been informed about that too for what Jesus did and was willing to do as studied in the previous devotional.

I asked myself what do we learn about Jesus' CHARACTER?
1. Jesus was humble being willing to be baptized by John.
2. Jesus surrendered Himself to the Father's will.
3. Jesus was One who pleased the Father.

I asked myself what are the CLAIMS being made about Jesus?
1. You are my Son

Implications:
I asked myself what are the implications for my own life?
Just as God, praised Jesus publicly for doing what is right , I need to realize how important it is to praise people publicly when they do right! A word of encouragement and praise publicly goes a long way!  Jesus was praised in front of the crowds gathered there. I need to do the same by praising those who do right not only privately but publicly for their actions.

Jesus wanting to be baptized by John the Baptist set an example for all of us to follow. It showed Jesus' humility and also surrender to the Father. Father God was so pleased with Jesus that God made it known to all that were there with the statement, "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

More than praising others for doing right, we should praise the Lord Jesus every single day! Jesus was praised publicly by the Father and I need to do the same. I need to praise Jesus publicly in front of others because He will always deserve our praise no matter what is happening in our lives.

 For that to happen, I need to first acknowledge and believe that Jesus is all that the Bible claims He is.  Once I do that, it is not at all hard to praise the Lord because praise will automatically come as we focus on the Lord Jesus.

When I think about what Jesus did for me on the cross of Calvary to save me, I am so touched. I am afraid of needles and seeing the sight of blood but Jesus took more than a needle for me by taking in nails pounded through his hands and feet so that the cleansing blood that flowed could wash away all my sins. Jesus died on the cross to redeem me from the bondage of sin and death. I who was lost to my own ways have been found by the Lord.

I a born Hindu was saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ when He invited me to be His own and adopted me as His child. He did that by taking all my sin upon Himself, burying it in His death, and coming back to life on the 3rd day to save.

I know just as the Spirit rested upon Jesus when He was baptized, the Spirit of the Living God will reside in me as I give my life over to Christ. He will reside in you too!

My shouts of praise publicly should always go out to Jesus for all He has done for me and will continue to do for me.

No matter what is happening around me I need to praise the Lord Jesus Christ for everything He has already done for me and will continue to do! Thank you Jesus.

I ask you now dear friend, who will you P.R.A.I.S.E publicly today in life?
It is so important to praise the Lord but we need to always remember to praise others too not only privately but publicly for a job well done. It should always start at home with our spouses, children, etc. But more than anyone we need to praise the Lord always.

Until we understand the magnitude of the price Jesus paid for us to redeem us, we will not be ready to praise Him always for what He has done for us. Even if nothing goes well in life for us, we have reason to praise Jesus-because of what Jesus did for us at the cross of Calvary. Jesus redeemed us from being a prisoner to Satan and the bondage of sin and death.

The believers who were persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ understood that so even through their persecution, they would continue to praise and rejoice in the Lord knowing a great reward awaited them. Their focus was on Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for them and His redemption in their lives.

We need to always think about how Jesus redeemed us and saved us to give us Eternal Life no matter what is happening around us. We can do that when we hold on to the Word of God and meditate on His Word day and night instead of focusing on the direct problems at hand. Friend, you and I can do that as we fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our Faith which reminds me of the sermon Pastor Philip gave.

One way you can do that is by letting others know what an awesome God you serve. Jesus in His humanity also has the qualities and characteristics of His Divinity which are elaborated more in the Gospel of John.

You can praise Jesus privately or publicly! You can praise Jesus near your friends, near your co-workers, at a worship service, etc.  When Jesus came to relate to humanity, He did it because of His love for you. Yes, friend He loves you so much and you are never out of His love and never out of His reach. He loves you as you are and reaches out to you.

I don't know what you are going through right now but Jesus does. Take it to the Lord in prayer! Whether you are facing issues with classes, relationships, family,  job, work, athletics, finances, etc, Jesus wants to be there for you. Yes, He does! Praise may be the last thing on your mind but do it. It will change you.

I don't want you to think that Jesus should only be praised when things go well. No, friend, Jesus deserves our praise all the time because of who He is and what He has already done for us.

Friend, I remember when we were all going to the funeral of my beloved dad, my loving mommy would continue to read aloud Psalms as she asked each of us Ravi, myself, Rohit, and Raj which Psalm we would like to hear. Even at the cemetery, we heard praises to the Lord Jesus being read from the Psalms by our loving mommy. 

I remember a time when I was so discontent because things were not going as I wanted them to. There was no contentment in me. Edwin, a brother in church and a mentor would meet with me weekly to go through the book, 'Lord Change My Attitude' before it is too late. After reading that book, I would write at least 5 things I need to praise the Lord for each day making them specific and different. It helped a lot. You can do that too!

I remember the time when my sweet loving wife Chandraleela and I were apart because of the visa situation, how she would frequently go to a Friday night service to praise the Lord and then go Sunday's to praise the Lord for who He is, for what He has done, and what He can still do. I praise the Lord Jesus that she is here with me now as the Lord Jesus took care of each and every issue we had faced. We know the Lord will continue to work out His plan in our lives. Thank you so much Jesus.

You would be amazed what praise can do! I remember a time when I could not find a job but knew the importance of praising the Lord Jesus. So, in my sadness and disappointment, I just lifted my hands to Heaven while walking in downtown and started praising the Lord. At that moment, I sensed a vision of Hands reaching out to help me from Heaven. After that I felt, I should start  'Helping Hands' tracts which helped so many students in the past while I was doing campus ministry. It all started as a choice to praise the Lord. You too can do that looking to the Lord. So no matter what we go through and how hard life is, let us rest in the Lord Jesus Christ and give Him our praise. The Word of God says, "The Lord inhabits the praises of His people!" How cool is that knowing the Lord Jesus inhabits the praises of His people!

Won't you reach out to Jesus in praise and love?

Praise Him
(c) copyright 2008, BY Ramesh C. Reddy

Past looks dim!
Praise Him!
Present looks dim!
Praise Him!
Future looks dim!
Praise Him!

 Hands lifted above!
We receive Your love!
 Hands lifted above!
We receive Your love!
Hands lifted above!
We receive your love! 

Jesus, we praise!
Our hands raise!
To Heaven we gaze!
Jesus we praise!
Our hands raise!
To Heaven we gaze! 

Past looks dim!
Praise Him!
Present looks dim!
Praise Him!
Future looks dim!
Praise Him!

Amen!

Jesus waits for you! Yes, He does friend! Now is the time. Don't wait but make your life a worshipful sacrifice to the Lord. Your spiritual act of worship can be the way you live your life for the Lord. There are many ways to worship the Lord and it does not always have to be singing. May you experience the love of Jesus in your life turning to praise always this year of 2024! Amen! For He will rescue you! Amen!

“Prayerfully Reiterate Almighty Immanuel's Service Everyday!” (P.R.A.I.S.E)/"Who will you P.R.A.I.S.E publicly today  in life?"

Prayer:
Lord Jesus thank you so much for what you have helped me to learn. I learned Jesus that when you came up out of the water, you were given praise by Father God. You were also told that you were loved and Father God was well pleased with you. I was excited to read that. Thank you for your humility and surrender. Also, to know the Spirit descended on you like a dove is amazing. Wow, Lord! I love you Jesus and give my praise to you for all you have done in my life and will continue to do. Lord, you deserve our praise no matter how our life is, and help us to do that. Help us to remember those who have gone before us who have praised you no matter what they were faced with Lord from Horatio who wrote the wonderful Hymn, 'It is well with my soul' when he lost most of his family in a terrible storm at sea to all the others who have lifted their praises to you even in persecution and continue to do so. Let our lives be a sacrificial praise to you Jesus.  Thank you so much Jesus! Thank you that we could praise you even with a simple song as above. I love you Jesus and need you. Thank you Jesus that we are never out of your love, never out of your reach. You are there for us always and we yield our lives to you. Help us to praise you daily in our lives. Thank you so much Jesus. Forgive our sins and help us please. We thank you for your help Oh Lord. We trust in you for guidance. Thank you for being there for us and we give our lives to thee. In Your Name We Pray Jesus! Amen!