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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." (Matthew 3:13-17 NRSV)
A blessed and tremendous Tuesday to you, dear Friend. This coming Sunday will be when we the Church celebrates the Baptism of Jesus. Many have, through the years, responded like John the Baptist in saying, "Why? Why would Jesus need baptism? Isn't He the only one in the entire Bible without sin?" Yes, indeed He was. Jesus' goal was to fully identify with humanity. He wanted to show that He too was willing to connect with God through this sacred moment. John the Baptist had taken the ritual of baptism, a Jewish ceremony for those born Gentile (non-Jew), who wished to become Jewish in their faith. In a certain sense, to be baptized prior to John's new view on baptism, was to admit a deep uncleanness. But, what John found out was that when he began his ministry with a simple sermon of "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand," it fell on willing, ready ears, and hungry hearts, and the lines began to form; people willing to admit they were unclean, sinful, and they wanted to have their sins removed. And, people of all walks of life were in that line, including the religious leaders of the day. But Jesus? Yes, Jesus!
The revelation of the moment was made more real when, as Jesus is emerging from the water, God spoke. God said, in effect, "Jesus is with me! He is my Son, and I love Him, and all He has said and done, is just what I want Him to do!" And, Jesus said, "I am with you! I know what it is like to need God, to connect with God, and to be loved by God; that's why I'm here!" And this Sunday, we the Church should say loudly and joyfully, "Thank You, God! Thank You, Jesus!"
PRAYER: Loving God, we begin early in saying our thank you's right now. We need You, We need Jesus. We need Your Holy Spirit. Come and abide in us and make us examples of the people who truly need you in ways that bring more to You. It is in the name of Jesus our Lord that we pray, amen!
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be an outrageous example of gratitude today! Move into the uncomfortable zone so that others may find comfort.
Receive my blessings of love and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
