The Beloved Son

 

Mark 1: 7-11 

⁷ And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. ⁸ I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

The Baptism and Testing of Jesus

⁹ At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰ Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. ¹¹ And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

John the Baptist was a powerful preacher and brought many to repentance and a change of life, but in all humility he points to another who will do even greater things than he. Yes, he set the stage for Jesus, who in all humility submitted himself to the Baptism of John.  The Voice from heaven verifies that Jesus is the Son of God and is the One to be followed. We are still celebrating the arrival of Jesus, from his birth to the beginning of his public life and the reason he became one of us.  Many families have already taken down their Christmas decorations, but let us not put aside "the reason for the season", and continue our efforts to deepen our faith in Jesus and live according to his teachings. He came to bring us God's love; let us not forget this great gift, live it and share it.

Bro. Rene