Dear Family,
Today is Friday, April 17, 2026. Today is Day 13 and Day 6 of Week 2 in our Count to Pentecost.
The Book of Matthew provides us with a statement about what Jesus’ Father felt about Him. Following Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, Jesus’ Father spoke from heaven.
Matthew 3:16-17 (16) And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: (17) And lo a voice from heaven, saying; This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
The event has great significance. It appears that God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit at the beginning of His earthly ministry. God His Father had been guiding Jesus’ preparation for the ministry He would do and the Work He was assigned to complete; the Chosen One, Messiah, the Christ. This event marked a new phase in God’s plan of salvation for mankind.
Isaiah 61:1-3 (1) The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because the Lord hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; (2) To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; (3) To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.
The event marked the beginning of fulfilling of the work of preaching the gospel, healing the brokenhearted, and preaching deliverance to the captives and those in bondage. Still, some of that prophecy is yet to be completely fulfilled. Jesus will faithfully complete this appointed work and proclaim the acceptable of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God.
Ben Faulkner, Pastor
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