They were baptized by Him in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. - Matthew 3:6
Picture John waist-deep in water with people streaming out to be baptized - baptizing them unto repentance,k preparing them to encounter the Savior. I believe they were quite specific confessing their sins. In all likelihood they were crying out these confessions, maybe even wailing, weeping over them.
Then came Christ. He was not coming to be baptized unto repentance. he was the spotless Lamb of God. Complete perfection. He was the only One who had no confessing to do that day in those waters. He came for John to baptize Him.
But I see something so precious in the fact that the people had confessed their sins standing in those same waters. He was baptized - drenched in the same waters where they had confessed their sins. Can you almost see Him wearing the sins they had confessed there?
Those of us who have already received Christ have been baptized into Him. How daily confession and repentance is like refreshment to our souls. We come away cleansed. Ready to be filled. Ready to walk in the Spirit.
It is I who seep away your transgressions for My own sake and remember your sins no more. - Isaiah 43:25.

It's a Boy!!

Yesterday I did not come to my shop, I went with my oldest daughter to her ultrasound. It was amazing, as usually! I sat and watched HIM kicking and punching. He did not want to be bothered. It showed him crying, poor baby. He kept kicking both legs out, and he looked like a frog. So, his nickname will be froggy for a while. Jonathan was peanut, and he is more like a butterball now. Although he is growing taller now, he is still pudgy. Isn't it wonderful to see them in the womb and hear their heartbeat, to watch them cry, breathe, etc. How can anyone say you are not alive until you are born? It sure makes me feel close to God to see my Grandson, kicking, moving... alive!

Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people. - Luke 2:52

People didn't just respect Jesus - they like Him. The word "favor" is undeniably related to the word "favorite." I don't believe we are stretching the text in the least to say that Christ was a favorite of many who knew Him.

Think for a few moments of the different characteristics of people who tend to capture your favor. Unless those characteristics are inconsistent with godliness, in all likelihood Christ possessed them. I can readily share a few of my favorite characteristics in people: godly, warm and personable, at least somewhat demonstrative, knowledgeable ion a specific area so I can learn from them, trustworthy, and funny!
I simply want you to be reminded that He was real. His sandals flapped when He walked down the road. His hair was misshapen when He awakened. He had to brush the bread crumbs off His beard after He ate. the muscles in His arms flexed when He lifted His little brothers and sisters. He had hair on His arms and warmth in His palms.
He was the son of God, and the Son of Man. Fathom the unfathomable.
The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God's grace was on Him. - Luke 2:40