Wednesday - Read today:
Pages 23-26 - The Way-40
Days of Reflection (Daily Devotion Guide)
Days of Reflection (Daily Devotion Guide)
The Baptism of Jesus
Then Jesus came from
Galilee to the Jordan[a] to John, to be baptized by him. But John would have
hindered him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?”
Galilee to the Jordan[a] to John, to be baptized by him. But John would have
hindered him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?”
But Jesus, answering,
said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all
righteousness.” Then he allowed him. Jesus, when he was baptized, went up
directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the
Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him. Behold, a voice out of
the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew
3:13-17).
said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all
righteousness.” Then he allowed him. Jesus, when he was baptized, went up
directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the
Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him. Behold, a voice out of
the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew
3:13-17).
Jesus was intentional
about beginning his public ministry by coming to his cousin, John, to be
baptized. This was kind of an ordination and unveiling for Jesus.
about beginning his public ministry by coming to his cousin, John, to be
baptized. This was kind of an ordination and unveiling for Jesus.
But why would Jesus e
baptized? Why would he need a “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of
sins?” This is a question Christians have wrestled with since the first Gospels
were written. Matthew raises the question for us by citing John’s words to
Jesus: “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?” (Matthew 3:14).
baptized? Why would he need a “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of
sins?” This is a question Christians have wrestled with since the first Gospels
were written. Matthew raises the question for us by citing John’s words to
Jesus: “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?” (Matthew 3:14).
In choosing to be
baptized, Jesus was identifying fully with humanity. He stood publicly with
those who felt alienated from God and in need of Grace. He waded into the water
with the broken, the guilty, and those who felt far from God. This was a
foreshadowing of what he would do in his ministry, when he befriended sinners
and tax collectors, and ultimately when he died on the cross.
baptized, Jesus was identifying fully with humanity. He stood publicly with
those who felt alienated from God and in need of Grace. He waded into the water
with the broken, the guilty, and those who felt far from God. This was a
foreshadowing of what he would do in his ministry, when he befriended sinners
and tax collectors, and ultimately when he died on the cross.
I am reminded of Joan Osbourne’s
song, “One of Us,” that famously asked, “What if God was one of us/Just a slob
like one of us.”[Composed by Eric M. Brazilian, “One of Us,” “One of Us,”
Joan OsbourneRelish, Island/Mercury, 1995.] When Jesus stepped into the Jordan River to be baptized,
he was “just a slob like one of us.” He was showing Himself to be the “Son of
Man,” a phrase that appears eighty-one times in the Gospels to describe Jesus.
song, “One of Us,” that famously asked, “What if God was one of us/Just a slob
like one of us.”[Composed by Eric M. Brazilian, “One of Us,” “One of Us,”
Joan OsbourneRelish, Island/Mercury, 1995.] When Jesus stepped into the Jordan River to be baptized,
he was “just a slob like one of us.” He was showing Himself to be the “Son of
Man,” a phrase that appears eighty-one times in the Gospels to describe Jesus.
But even s Jesus
showed Himself to be the Son of Man, the Heavens opened, the Spirit descended,
and He heard the voice of God say, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am
well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). He was not only the son of Man. He was the beloved Son of God.
showed Himself to be the Son of Man, the Heavens opened, the Spirit descended,
and He heard the voice of God say, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am
well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). He was not only the son of Man. He was the beloved Son of God.
Jesus was called
“Beloved” by the Father. The Greek word is agapetos,
and it is a term of great affection. I think of the love I have for my
daughters and wife, who are beloved to me. The apostles came to use the word as
a way of addressing their fellow Christians. Again and again in the letters of the New Testament, the
apostles addressed Christians as “Beloved.” Who are they beloved by? They, and
we, are beloved by God.
“Beloved” by the Father. The Greek word is agapetos,
and it is a term of great affection. I think of the love I have for my
daughters and wife, who are beloved to me. The apostles came to use the word as
a way of addressing their fellow Christians. Again and again in the letters of the New Testament, the
apostles addressed Christians as “Beloved.” Who are they beloved by? They, and
we, are beloved by God.
We believe that in our
baptism God claims us as His beloved children, just as He did with Jesus, His
only begotten Son. When we remember our baptisms, we remember our identity, and
we remember that God has a deep affection for all of us. We are God’s beloved
children.
baptism God claims us as His beloved children, just as He did with Jesus, His
only begotten Son. When we remember our baptisms, we remember our identity, and
we remember that God has a deep affection for all of us. We are God’s beloved
children.
As you reflect upon
Jesus’ baptism, remember His humility in choosing to identify with boken and
sinful people. Remember the Father’s claim, in His baptism, that Jesus was His
beloved Son. But pause for a moment to remember your own baptism. Know that God
has claimed you as his beloved child.
Prayer: Jesus,Jesus’ baptism, remember His humility in choosing to identify with boken and
sinful people. Remember the Father’s claim, in His baptism, that Jesus was His
beloved Son. But pause for a moment to remember your own baptism. Know that God
has claimed you as his beloved child.
thank you for identifying with our human brokenness-that we might identify with
Your Divine Sonship. Help me to believe that I really-am-one of the Father’s
beloved children. Amen.
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