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Matthew 3:16-17

¹⁶As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. ¹⁷And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

The Spirit of God had revealed to John the Baptist that he would see the Spirit descend in the form of a dove upon the Messiah. That was to be the sign by which John would know he had found the Lamb of God. Even before this happened, he somehow knew Jesus was the One. When Jesus asked to be baptized, John said that he would rather Jesus baptize him. Remember that John had been declaring that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. But Jesus, our perfect example in all things, insisted that John baptize Him. John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. The only reason that Jesus would be baptized is in obedience to the Father. He had nothing to repent of. Since the Father instructed Him to do so, He insisted that it was necessary to fulfill all righteousness.

Once John baptized Him, the sign that John had been watching for came to pass. In addition, a voice came from heaven! John must have needed these confirmations because Jesus' calling was so radically different from John's. John ate a strict diet. Jesus ate and drank freely. John isolated himself in the wilderness. Jesus mingled with every kind of people. This contrast may have caused John to doubt, for when he was in prison he sent word to Jesus asking him if He was indeed the Messiah.

The voice also commended the Lord for His obedience. Jesus, being all God and yet all man, may have wondered if the Father was indeed pleased with Him, since He was led to the baptism of John, the baptism of repentance. In walking in continued obedience, the Father audibly confirmed Jesus was His loved Son with Whom He was well pleased.

Consider: If you are ever tempted to think God is not pleased with you, remember, if you are in the Son, He is well pleased with you.