Key Thought

Jesus began his ministry. He has accepted baptism, been anointed with the Spirit, and received affirmation from God. Now he begins the public side of his life. If he were Joseph's son from Nazareth, there would have been little reason to describe any part of his life as public. From a small, non-descript little town, no one of importance would have known Jesus or cared about his actions. Now he begins his public ministry that will touch billions of people over the course of time. Just as Jesus' beginnings were small, so also was his family small and insignificant. But, they are connected to a long line of folks -- some of whom are important, many of whom are not -- that extends back to Abraham and ultimately back to Adam and eventually all the way back to God. So in three ways, Jesus begins his ministry as God's Son: First, he is God's Son by conception of the Spirit. Second, he is God's Son through the anointing of the Holy Spirit at his baptism, and finally, he is God's son as all of us are, a child of humanity that traces its beginnings back to the creative work of God. We all have to begin some place. The key is to start. Have you started? What are you waiting for?

Today's Prayer

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O glorious God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for doing your work among us. Thank you for having your Messiah, my Savior, begin his ministry in a way that makes sense to us mortals. Thank you for his connections to us through human frailty and flesh. Thank you for having him share an experience that I too can share, the grace of baptism. Thank you for the Holy Spirit that makes me your child, similar in some ways to the way Jesus was your child. Thank you for a beginning point. Now I ask, dear Lord, to help me as I try to move beyond the beginning point to what you would have me do. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

Before John was put into prison, all the people were being baptized by him. Then Jesus came and was baptized too. While Jesus was praying, the sky opened. The Holy Spirit came down on him. The Spirit looked like a real dove. Then a voice came from heaven and said, “You are my Son and I love you. I am very pleased with you.” When Jesus began to teach, he was about 30 years old. People thought that Jesus was Joseph’s son. Joseph was the son of Eli. Eli was the son of Matthat. Matthat was the son of Levi. Levi was the son of Melchi. Melchi was the son of Jannai. Jannai was the son of Joseph. Joseph was the son of Mattathias. Mattathias was the son of Amos. Amos was the son of Nahum. Nahum was the son of Esli. Esli was the son of Naggai. Naggai was the son of Maath. Maath was the son of Mattathias. Mattathias was the son of Semein. Semein was the son of Josech. Josech was the son of Joda. Joda was the son of Joanan. Joanan was the son of Rhesa. Rhesa was the son of Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel was the son of Shealtiel. Shealtiel was the son of Neri. Neri was the son of Melchi. Melchi was the son of Addi. Addi was the son of Cosam. Cosam was the son of Elmadam. Elmadam was the son of Er. Er was the son of Joshua. Joshua was the son of Eliezer. Eliezer was the son of Jorim. Jorim was the son of Matthat. Matthat was the son of Levi. Levi was the son of Simeon. Simeon was the son of Judah. Judah was the son of Joseph. Joseph was the son of Jonam. Jonam was the son of Eliakim. Eliakim was the son of Melea. Melea was the son of Menna. Menna was the son of Mattatha. Mattatha was the son of Nathan. Nathan was the son of David. David was the son of Jesse. Jesse was the son of Obed. Obed was the son of Boaz. Boaz was the son of Salmon. Salmon was the son of Nahshon. Nahshon was the son of Amminadab. Amminadab was the son of Admin. Admin was the son of Arni. Arni was the son of Hezron. Hezron was the son of Perez. Perez was the son of Judah. Judah was the son of Jacob. Jacob was the son of Isaac. Isaac was the son of Abraham. Abraham was the son of Terah. Terah was the son of Nahor. Nahor was the son of Serug. Serug was the son of Reu. Reu was the son of Peleg. Peleg was the son of Eber. Eber was the son of Shelah. Shelah was the son of Cainan. Cainan was the son of Arphaxad. Arphaxad was the son of Shem. Shem was the son of Noah. Noah was the son of Lamech. Lamech was the son of Methuselah. Methuselah was the son of Enoch. Enoch was the son of Jared. Jared was the son of Mahalaleel. Mahalaleel was the son of Cainan. Cainan was the son of Enos. Enos was the son of Seth. Seth was the son of Adam. Adam was the son of God.

— Luke Luke 3:21-38 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.