Jesus’ Identity Revealed

Jesus begins his earthly ministry at around thirty years of age (Luke 3:23). This first phase will last for about a year and a half. It's a momentous beginning, marked by the heavens opening and the voice of the Father speaking. Imagine witnessing that scene. What would it be like to hear the voice of God? As you reflect on today’s reading, picture yourself standing in Jesus’ sandals and hearing those powerful words.

Questions from your reading

• What three things does God the Father reveal about Jesus?
• Who was the intended audience for this revelation?
• What might it have felt like for Jesus to hear the Father’s voice after thirty years?
• What other questions do you still have?

Reflecting on your reading

Notice the sequence of events. Jesus leaves Nazareth, seeking the Father’s leading. He visits John, and it's clear the next step is baptism. But what exactly was this baptism?

John said,

“I baptise you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Luke 3:16).

In this single verse, three forms of baptism are mentioned: water, Spirit, and fire. In Bible times, baptism was about identification—aligning with a messenger and their message.

So when people were baptised by John, they were saying, in effect, “I believe this man is sent by God, and his message about the coming Messiah is true.” When Jesus submitted to baptism, he was identifying with John’s mission. He was saying, “This is the message from God, and I’m all in.”

After being baptised, Jesus begins to pray (Luke 3:21). It's a small detail, easily missed—but deeply significant. What did he pray? Was he asking, “What’s next, Father?” Or was it simply, “Here I am. Send me.” We’re not told. But we are told how the Father responded. The heavens opened. The Holy Spirit descended like a dove. And God spoke: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22).

What would that moment have meant to Jesus? These are words every heart longs to hear—words of identity, love, and approval. At the core of this passage is the gift of knowing who we are in God’s eyes. And that’s where our journey begins, too: discovering our true identity in Jesus.

At the moment someone puts their faith in Jesus as Messiah, they are baptised into him.

“For we were all baptised by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink” (1 Cor. 12:13).

This is the Spirit baptism Jesus came to bring. It’s a baptism of identity and belonging.

Have you taken time to explore your identity in Jesus? It’s essential for every follower of Christ. Let that identity take root in your heart: you are God’s child, deeply loved and fully accepted.

Applying what you’ve read

Here’s something to hold onto today:

You are loved by God (1 John 3:1–3).
You are God’s child (John 1:12).
And God is pleased when you live by faith (Heb. 11:6).

Without faith, it’s impossible to please God—but when you believe that Jesus died for your sins, the Father says: “You are my child. I love you. I am pleased with you.”

Spend a few moments today reflecting on your identity. Let those words sink in. Then, share what you’ve discovered with at least two others.