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Wayback Wednesday: Because of the cross
(This is a slightly revised version of an article I did a few years back.)
According to Matthew, when Jesus was baptized,
The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him.
And a voice from heaven said: ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.’ (Matthew 3:16-17)
Three years later, Jesus underwent a different kind of baptism: the cross. (Luke 12:50, Mark 10:38)
At his second baptism, though, heaven was shut to him, with all of God’s wrath being poured out on him, not for his own sins, but for ours.
But three days later, Jesus rose from the grave, declared once again to be the Son of God in power, King of kings and Lord of lords. (Romans 1:4)
The result?
Heaven has opened up to us.
The Holy Spirit has descended upon us like a dove, and now when the Father looks at us, he says, “This is my beloved child with whom I am well-pleased.”
We no longer need to fear punishment from an angry God.
We can draw near to a Father who deeply loves us.
So let us draw near!
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