Living Our Baptism

^{Mark 1: 7-11}

⁷ And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. ⁸ I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

The Baptism of Jesus

⁹ In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰ And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. ¹¹ And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.”

What son (or daughter) would not love to hear these words from the mouth of a loving father?  What a great moment for Jesus, to be so lauded:  The Father's voice, the Spirit in the form of a dove, and the beloved Son, one God in three persons, as the formula for the Holy Trinity would be declared after centuries of pondering. It was becoming clearer to "the carpenter's son" that he was here to do more than just carpentry.  Following his baptism, he would spend 40 days in prayer and fasting in the desert, and emerge with a better picture of his mission. 

Perhaps today, as we ponder this scene, we might renew our own commitment to be followers of Jesus, avoiding sin and the occasions of sin, but more especially devoting our time, talents and energy to continue to "preach" the kingdom of God through our words and actions.

Bro. Rene