KJV Luke 3:21-22 “…Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened…”Thou art My beloved Son; in Thee I am well pleased.””

NASB Luke 3:21-22 “…Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened…”You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.””

Look at how Luke 3 commences. We have a list of the mighty men of the times: Caesar in Rome, Pilate in Judea, Herod, tetrarch of Galilee, Philip controlling Iturea, Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, and finally, Annas and Caiaphas, the co-serving high priests of Israel. Here were men who moved with pride and independence on the stage of human history. Each would have credited his skill, power, intelligence, or diplomatic skill with having brought him to his position.

As the chapter unfolds, we are introduced to those who were urged to bring forth fruits as evidence of repentance (vv 7-9). We are introduced to those who asked about repentance (vv 10-14). And before the section closes there is a man who refused to repent. Herod, in his wickedness and pride, shut up John in prison (vv 19-20). Rather than repent at the message delivered by John, he would silence the messenger.

How lovely then to look upon One Who did not need to repent. Instead of confessing sins to heaven, heaven confessed to Him that the Father could only find in Him what brought delight to a Father’s heart.

But Luke, in His characteristic fashion, adds a unique touch to the account of the baptism. Notice the words, “Jesus also being baptized and praying…” In contrast to others, here was a dependent Man in Whom heaven found delight. Unlike those names which began the chapter, here was a Man Who lived His entire life in total dependence upon His God. What delight a Father had in seeing a Man so unique among the sons of men!

His praying also suggests a Man in constant communion with heaven. He did not need to be brought into fellowship with God. He was, moment by moment, in the joy of an unbroken relationship.

Consider:

1.  Look at the expressions in verses 5-6: valleys, hills, crooked, rough ways. In Christ, there were no “valleys” which needed to be filled – nothing was lacking. There were no hills or mountains which needed to be levelled – He was perfectly balanced. There were no crooked ways to straighten, and no rough ways to make smooth.

2.  Luke will highlight times that the Lord Jesus prayed. There are seven prayers or times of praying which are unique to Luke. Each affords valuable insight.

3.  Give some thought to why Matthew, Mark, and Luke each record the words of the Father to the Son at the banks of Jordan. Yet John, the Gospel of the Father and the Son, does not record them.