Luke 3

“I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming .. he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (v16). John the Baptist was the bridge between Old Testament prophets and the Messiah, the one who “prepared the way” (v4).  Like the prophets, John called Israelites back to God through repentance symbolized by water baptism (v8). However, he told them that the Messiah would do something more – he would give them God’s own Spirit.

“You are My beloved Son” (v22).  Jesus the Son made a way for us not just to repent of sin, but to be reborn by the Spirit into a new life as God’s sons and daughters.