Matthew 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Why was God pleased with Jesus here at His baptism? Jesus had yet to begin His ministry, Jesus had not done anything yet. Or had He?

Jesus lived for thirty years before His ministry began. Nothing much was revealed about that life, except that no matter what happened in it, He did not sin. That in and of itself should have been significant. As I ponder the possible perfect life I must say it should stand out as being special in observance to those around Him. Yet Jesus was not known for is absence of sin. The world was fine with who Jesus was as a man in their midst.

Luke 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

The leader of the synagogue would never allow anyone to read before the congregation unless he was well known and proven himself before the leadership. Jesus was noteworthy enough to be given a voice in that place. So Jesus read from the scriptures, as was his custom. Nothing noteworthy there. Everyone was used to Jesus reading of the scriptures. So what changed?

Luke 4:21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

This is the beginning. Jesus could live a perfect life and be known for all His works of the flesh, because up to this moment Jesus lived as a man. His efforts were seen to be flesh, His life was seen as attainable, His efforts appreciated, as long as they were seen to be of the flesh.

To be continued tomorrow.