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!
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 message of the voice and the significance of each point?

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

 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. I was reminded of the previous devotional "What do you S.T.A.N.D for in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sept 08, 12, 07:59 a.m.)

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 sin. 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 rest upon me to as I give my life over to Christ. I am so thankful for the opportunity to do that when my mommy introduced me to Jesus and what Jesus did for me in all Eternity on February 14, 1985 on Valentines Day! Of course, at the time I did not even know it was Valentine's Day.

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. When I was in sin separated from God having no way to reach the Father because all the good that I do becomes filthy rags to the Lord, God provided a bridge for me through Jesus Christ that I can cross to Heaven as I yield my life over to the Lord and take what my Donor offered to me.

 His precious red antidote is the only antidote that can cleanse my body of its deadly virus known as sin. Everyday, I need to remember that Jesus paid the price for me with His blood to cleanse me of all my sin. Now because of what Jesus did for me on the cross of Calvary, I have entrance to the Father because when God looks at me now, He sees the cleansing blood of Jesus covering over me and His judgment will pass over me.

God in His holiness cannot allow sin to enter His presence and only Jesus could make it possible that anyone can enter the presence of the Almighty God. For that you and I should always praise Jesus because He took it upon Himself to make a way for us to reach God.

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?
Dear friend, until we really 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 to 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.

Will you praise Jesus privately and in front of others for what He has done in your life?
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. One thing I know is it may not have been easy for Jesus to have trekked three days so He could be baptized in the Jordan, yet He did it. He overcame that obstacle to fulfill His obedience to the Father. Whatever you are facing Jesus knows about it. 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! Sometimes it could be hard to move ahead and you may even feel so lonely because of the situation you may be in and Jesus knows that pain and He feels your pain. Yes, He does. Come as you are to Jesus for He will carry you.

Brother Calvin and Pastor Ed shared at one point that  our God is sovereign and He can take any situation in our lives like he did for Joseph and turn it out for our good. Thank you so much Jesus.

When Joseph was thrown in the well by his own brothers, later sold to the Ishmalites, and then thrown into prison for a crime he did not commit, it would have been easy for him to doubt Jehovah but he never lost his faith in Jehovah and as Scriptures state, his hope in Jehovah did not disappoint. Eventually, he became the rescuer of all his 11 brothers later. You can read more about it in Genesis. Joseph made a profound statement, "What Satan meant for evil, God turned it out for good!"

Right now whatever you are going through, those trials may look like a mountain to you and you don't want to hear others telling you to be joyful. What comes to your mind is, "How I can be joyful in these circumstances?", "If they were going through what I am going through, they would not tell me to be joyful", etc.

Friend only you and the Lord alone know the extent of your pain and suffering but the Apostle Paul who was thrown in prison for preaching the Good News could still praise the Lord and find joy in Him. The entire book of Philippians is labeled the 'Book of Joy' which was written in prison.

If that joy was available for the Apostle Paul and he could find it, we too can find it in the Lord. Let us look to the Lord in the trials and temptations, knowing He alone can deliver us and strengthen us. Keep reading the Psalms and turn them to prayers.

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 which Psalm we would like to hear. Even at the Gate of Heaven cemetery in Maryland, we heard praises to the Lord Jesus being read from the Psalms by our loving mommy. 

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 up 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 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.

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! 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:
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. Also, to know the Spirit descended on you like a dove. 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 that 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 ours 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!

Lord Jesus, You are my all in all. You are my Prince of Peace, Rock, Savior, and Friend. You are my Holy Father guiding me through to live a life of righteousness, holy righteousness. Oh God, I need you more than ever. I need to feel your hands around me holding me tight. I need your love to surround me so that you can glow in my life. Help me please Jesus. I desire in your presence. Thank you for guiding me to live a life of righteousness. Oh God you love me more than ever. You hear my voice when I cry out to you. When I seek your face, you fill me up. You are my all in all. Thank you Jesus so much for your help no matter what I face, your grace is available and you take my case. Thank you for hearing us and answering us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! AMEN! (Most of the prayer is from a vineyard song called “All in All”)

No matter what you feel in your heart, know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not alone! To make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turning them into prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark before moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord show you to which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be part of a body of believers to help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible believing church that preaches the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our crucified and risen Lord who brings us hope, healing, and help!

No matter who you are, it is not ever too late to join a Bible-believing church or a college fellowship. I highly encourage each of you to come to Transformers Small Group on Friday nights at 7:00 p.m. and Oakland International Fellowship on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. for prayer, 11:30 a.m. for worship, 10:30 a.m. for Sunday School, and 12:30 p.m. for fellowship lunch.

May the Lord's presence and peace fill you with His love now and forever! Amen!

Friend, if you have prayed this prayer and meant it in your heart, you are a new creation in Christ and all old things are passed away and everything has become new! You may feel something or may not but don’t base it on feelings but base your new life in Christ on the promises of our Savior who will never leave you nor forsake you! Amen!

Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-641-9426

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)