Luke 3:15-22 (The Message)
21-22 After all the people were baptized, Jesus was baptized. As he was praying, the sky opened up and the Holy Spirit, like a dove descending, came down on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: “You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life.”
Jesus baptism was a powerful moment for him. He needed this moment, this experience, this voice, this assurance to even dare begin to walk this earth as the Son of God.
There was struggle for Jesus in knowing his divine call. For he was going to have to walk as a stranger among his own kin and an outsider among his own people. He would be hated, despised, rejected, “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief”. Yet as one in whom God delights. He was to bring a new brand of justice which was directed by compassion.
His baptism set him apart for servanthood. And so does ours! To ‘walk wet’ means we cannot be indifferent to injustice and must bring mercy, compassion and kindness into our world through who we are and how we are.
It was no small thing for Jesus to be baptized. It is no small thing for us either! It does not mark us as God’s favorites; it does commission us as God’s servants!
Prayer thought for the week: “ Lord help me to remember that Your Baptism and mine, set us apart for servanthood. Doing what we can to make this a
better place to be.”
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