Matthew 3:16-17

THE VOICE OF THE SPIRIT

‘And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’

Matthew 3:16

I. Why did Christ need this manifestation of the Spirit?

(a) That witness might be borne to His Sonship. It was to assure, not Himself indeed, but others, of His Sonship. Though He needed no assurance of His Sonship, there are many of God’s children who do.

(b) To equip Him for conflict. Was it not significant that immediately after the reception of the Holy Spirit He should be brought into a personal encounter with the evil spirit? that immediately after such a manifestation of Divine favour there should be such a manifestation of Satanic power? (St. Matthew 4:1). Never let us forget that it is after the choicest seasons of Divine blessing that we may except the fiercest onslaughts of Satanic rage.

(c) To anoint Him for service. This was the opening of Christ’s missionary career. Up to this time He had lived a life of obscurity in Nazareth. If Christ needed this anointing, how much more must you and I need it also? How can we expect our service to succeed without it.

(d) To strengthen Him for suffering. His life henceforth was to be a living martyrdom. Suffering was to be His lot, and suffering is the portion still of those who are to be followers of the Lamb that was slain. We want strength to suffer, and we shall never get it except through the outpouring of the Holy Ghost.

II. The manner of this wonderful baptism of the Spirit.—How did the Holy Spirit descend upon Christ? As a dove—

(a) Swiftly; (b) sensibly; (c) symbolically.

The dove speaks to us of heavenly-mindedness and purity and peace.

III. The conditions of the reception of the Holy Spirit.—They are found in the circumstances in which Christ received the Spirit.

(a) He received the Holy Ghost at a time of uttermost obedience. The first condition is obedience (see Acts 5:32).

(b) It was a time of deepest humiliation. He went down among the common people (St. Luke 3:21). Have you thought what Christ’s baptism meant for Him? ‘We know that this man is a sinner’ (St. John 9:24). How did they know? Because He had submitted to the baptism of John. Christ lost His reputation at Jordan. Have we ever followed Christ so far? Have we been willing to lose our reputation for His sake, perhaps never regaining it entirely?

(c) It was at a time of prayer that Christ received the Spirit (St. Luke 3:21). Christ was praying. And yet some actually tell us that we must not pray for the Holy Spirit to come down! Prayer is the condition of receiving the Spirit.

Christ fulfilled the conditions, and according to His faith it was unto Him. Surely from that open heaven a voice speaks to us. ‘The Promise is to you and to your children.’

The Rev. E. W. Moore.

Illustration

‘Rowland Hill on one occasion found himself in the company of some professedly Christian officials of the church where he had been preaching, when the conversation turned upon amusements. One of those present advocated theatre-going as a suitable amusement for Christian people. Mr. Hill expressed some surprise, and the speaker, perceiving that his views were not acceptable, attempted to modify them by saying, “Oh, well, Mr. Hill, I only go now and then for a treat.” “Indeed,” replied Mr. Hill, “I know what kind of bird that is that feeds on carrion for a treat!” Is it not sad to see how eyen Christian people can come to God for salvation and go somewhere else for pleasure?’