Branded with the Spirit
Branding is a familiar tradition in both history and present time. Be it man or cattle, searing a seal of ownership into flesh forever connects one with the owner. Today tattoos have taken on the connotations of the branding of old, often signifying a deep bond with a person, a group, or even a belief.
When Jesus was ready to begin his role as Savior, as one representing His Father, His first action was to be branded: To be recognized in public as being chosen by God to do God’s work. So he went to his cousin, John, and asked to be baptized. At the baptism, the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus, branding him as God’s voice, God’s only begotten Son, the Man chosen to bring salvation to men.
Unlike a tattoo or a hot metal seal that is seen only on your skin, branded with the Holy Spirit is a two-fold application—there’s the outward sign where anyone taking a good look at you sees you as being different in a good sort of way; and there’s the inner sign that gives you the assurance that you are purchased by the blood of Christ, that you are saved. That you are a saint in the sight of Heaven.
When Jesus was ready to begin his role as Savior, as one representing His Father, His first action was to be branded: To be recognized in public as being chosen by God to do God’s work. So he went to his cousin, John, and asked to be baptized. At the baptism, the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus, branding him as God’s voice, God’s only begotten Son, the Man chosen to bring salvation to men.
Unlike a tattoo or a hot metal seal that is seen only on your skin, branded with the Holy Spirit is a two-fold application—there’s the outward sign where anyone taking a good look at you sees you as being different in a good sort of way; and there’s the inner sign that gives you the assurance that you are purchased by the blood of Christ, that you are saved. That you are a saint in the sight of Heaven.
