Matthew 3:16, 17

"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."—Matt. iii. 16, 17.

— Matthew 3:16, 17

Take thy stand, my soul, this evening by the river Jordan, and by faith behold the wonders displayed in the hour thy Jesus entered upon his public ministry. Behold a decisive proof of the distinct personality in the threefold character, which all the sacred volume of the scriptures gives to the revelation of the Godhead. Behold Jesus, the uncreated word, on the bank of Jordan! Behold the Holy Spirit, hovering as a dove on his sacred person! And hear the voice of God coming from heaven, proclaiming who Jesus was, his relationship to him, and his approbation of him. And when thou hast duly pondered the precious testimony, bend thy knee in adoration, love, and praise, to the sacred Three in One, for so condescending an act of grace, in confirmation of the faith once delivered to the saints. Nor quit the hallowed spot until thou hast well and duly considered the blessedness of the proclamation given from heaven by the Father, to the person and character of the Lord Jesus. John the Baptist was taught to form his conclusion of Christ by this very evidence. He that sent John to baptize, had said unto him, "Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw," said John, "and bare record, that this is the Son of God." And do thou, my soul, take thy confidence from the same precious testimony; and then ask thyself another question: Is he whom the Father declared to be his beloved Son, thy beloved Saviour? And while God declares himself well pleased with him as thy Saviour, art thou well pleased with him also in this precious character? If to these questions thou canst truly say, yes, yes; thou wilt find a blessed testimony indeed, and a soul refreshing consolation in this view of Jesus. Go then, in all thy holy exercises of faith and prayer, go to thy God and Father in Christ Jesus, and plead for all thou standest in need of, for the life that now is, and that which is to come, upon this footing: that in Him, in whom God hath declared himself well pleased, thou art well pleased; and for his blood and righteousness sake, thou seekest every supply of grace here, and glory hereafter. This will be a sure plea, and such as can never fail. And he that proclaimed, by a voice from heaven, his perfect approbation of Jesus, as a Saviour for poor sinners, will give, for his sake, every thing that poor sinners can need during a life of grace, until consummated in glory.