Gracious Father, we thank you for this day and all the promises it holds. Guide us to a deeper understanding of your will for our lives. Be with needs shared with us. We pray for Collin Curl for his recovery after this tragic accident. Bless Wes and his family, Lord, as they seek comfort and peace. We pray in Christ Jesus' name. Amen.
FYI: Collin Curl is Wes Curl's 19 year old son who while working in a sheet metal company lost his hand in an accident. Wes was rushed to BAMC in San Antonio where he underwent surgery to try and reattach the hand. Please hold Collin and Wes in your prayers.
Here is today's text which is the one recommended by the Lectionary for this Sunday. It comes from Matthew 3:
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15 But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."
John the Baptist couldn't understand it. And perhaps you might not understand it. But Jesus presented himself for baptism to show how much he relates to you and me. He who was without sin, and John knew that, comes to the Jordan and despite John's protests says, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Jesus was being obedient to His Father. He knew that in receiving what we now call one of our sacraments, he would be fulfilling that which needed to be done and that people would see that Jesus was not detached and aloof from us. He was one of us, with a difference, He came from the Father to show us how we too could be in relationship with God.
Let this be a day when you realize just how much love your Heavenly Father has for you. Don't seek to run from that love, just let that love overtake and overwhelm you. For your good. And for your Father's glory.
PRAYER: Thank you Lord Jesus, for relating to us. Thank you for being born for us, for living among us, for dying for us, and for showing us just how much power Your Father has over sin and death. Indeed, this can be a day of new beginnings! In Your name we pray. Amen.
Have a great day in the Lord!
Blessings!
e.v.
