Title Matthew 03:13-17 Three Spiritual Events
Contents Matthew 3:13-17 / Three Spiritual Events
Today's text is about Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River to begin his public ministry. After Jesus was baptized, three spiritual events occur.
The first spiritual event was the opening of heaven. This means that God's will will be done soon. No matter what we do, we must not decide and start it ourselves, but after God has proclaimed it. The door to start is always opened by the Holy Spirit.
Dear saints, the opening of the heavens is the experience that the patriarchs of Genesis had when they met God. Jacob deceived his father and ran away from his brother, and while sleeping on a stone pillow in Bethel, he saw the heavens opened and angels ascended and descended and met God. And he got up in the morning and confessed, “This is the house of God and the gate of heaven” (Genesis 28:17).
When Ezekiel received the revelation, the heavens were opened (Ezekiel 1:1). Even when Stephen was martyred, the heavens were opened, so he could pray for forgiveness like Jesus did. The apostle John also received the revelation of the end times when the gates of heaven were opened and was able to write the book of Revelation. When Paul was on his way to Damascus to kill a believer in Jesus, the heavens opened and he met the Lord. And he became a disciple of Jesus. The reason that the martyrs could die proudly was because the heavens were opened.
The second spiritual event is when the Holy Spirit came down like a dove. The Holy Spirit came upon Jesus' head. This is the touch of the Holy Spirit. Here, ‘touch’ does not simply mean ‘to touch’. In other words, it is ‘to be a plus’ or ‘to be contacted’. Faith is understanding with the heart, not with the head, with the life. A touch of the Holy Spirit occurred when Jesus was baptized. It doesn't just flash once and it's over, it means continuing to be present. Just as water seeps into a sponge, the vitality and power of the Holy Spirit permeated each individual from head to toe, controlling their thoughts, words, and actions. The Holy Spirit is not understood with the head, but experienced with the body. This is the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
The third spiritual event is the hearing of a voice from heaven. “This is my beloved, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Today's text refers to all the Trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God the Father says, “This is my Beloved, in whom I am well pleased.” The Son is Jesus Himself. The Holy Spirit came upon Jesus' head like a dove.
When we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, we hear the voice of God. Without the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we cannot hear the voice of God.
How can I receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit? It's time to open the gates of heaven. How do the heavenly gates open? You must be obedient and humble. If God's voice is heard in our hearts, we do not need to be afraid no matter what happens to us.
Even failure is okay. If you listen to God's voice, 'the one who loves and rejoices,' then today's failure is not a problem at all. You can draw closer to God.
When the wind of the Holy Spirit blows, God works. This country and this people can change. If the wind of the Holy Spirit blows on that North Korean land, North Korea will also change.