Well Pleased

Yesterday, I had the honor and privilege of baptizing my seven-year-old daughter Amanda. A few months ago, I experienced the joy of seeing her pray and ask Jesus into her heart as her personal Lord and Savior. As she shared her testimony with the people of Ogletown before I baptized her, I was reminded how the angels in heaven rejoice every time a sinner repents and trusts Jesus (Luke 15:10). And while my wife Cheryl and I made it our top priority as parents to teach Amanda the things of God and help lead her to the saving knowledge of Christ, I looked out from the baptistery toward my church family and saw countless others who have poured into her and helped her grow spiritually.

But the vision that flooded my mind the most was how Jesus himself submitted to baptism in Matthew 3: And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." (v.16-17). This was a time I can truly say I understood my Father's heart!

What really made me well pleased was that Amanda--in her own words--could clearly state her desire (I told my Daddy that I wanted to accept Jesus), she knew her spiritual condition (I am a sinner. I repent of my sins), she knew who she needed to save her (I believe that Jesus is God's Son and that he came to the earth to save everyone) and she knew what she needed to do (I confess my faith in Jesus as my Savior and my Lord and I choose to live my life for him forever). Amanda also knew why she wanted to be baptized (I want to get baptized to show people my faith in Jesus).

Baptism is a beautiful expression and identification of our personal relationship with Christ; which is pleasing to the Father. But I also believe that any time we demonstrate our faith and express our trust in Jesus, we bring a smile to the One True God. Our opportunities to do so are limitless. And while accepting Christ as Savior and submitting to believer's baptism carries with it the knowledge that our sins have been forgiven on the cross, God is also well pleased when we recognize our sinful nature and our need to repent and continually seek his healing grace.