Command 2: Be Baptized

Here is Matthew 3:13-17 from the New International Version (NIV):

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"

15 Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.

16 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. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with grateful hearts, thanking You for the example of Jesus and the powerful truths revealed in His baptism. Lord, we ask for Your guidance as we seek to understand and apply this lesson to our lives.

Help us to grasp the humility of Jesus, who, though sinless, submitted to baptism to fulfill Your righteous plan. Teach us to walk in humility, surrendering our will to Yours and seeking to honor You in all we do.

Father, open our eyes to the significance of the Holy Spirit descending like a dove and the voice from heaven declaring Jesus as Your beloved Son. Remind us that, through faith in Christ, we too are Your children, loved and accepted by You. Help us to live in the confidence of our identity in You.

Lord, we ask for the Holy Spirit to fill us and guide us, just as He empowered Jesus for His ministry. Equip us to walk in obedience, to fulfill the purposes You have for us, and to bring glory to Your name.

Thank You for the assurance that You are pleased with us when we follow Jesus and live in alignment with Your will. May we always seek to honor You in our thoughts, words, and actions.

In Jesus' name, we pray,

Amen.