Image from biblia.com
Hear the devotional: https://bit.ly/3UyRA5x
View devotional: https://bit.ly/3SxY2Hv
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.” 12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. 14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:9-15 NIV Bible)
A blessed and awesome Monday to you, dear Friend! I was blessed to have been in the house of the Lord this morning, (Yes, I write this on Sunday) hearing our pastor preach an awesome sermon on Jesus' Transfiguration and partaking in the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Blessings abound when we find ourselves in a worship space. Let's declare this our worship for our time together. Let us be about re-capturing the power of prayer as we pray for Mr. Rick Gonzales, our brother from Mission, Texas, who underwent a series of painful injections to combat his battle against MS in Houston. The results from that therapy were not what they sought and a new series of injections await him later this spring. Please pray that the desired results and God's will be done for our brother's health and wellbeing. Please pray for his wife Maridol during this time of their lives. Let us also pray for baby Ivy Escamilla, a 22-month year old baby who is in Texas Children's Hospital in Houston awaiting surgery. She had s pulmonary venous obstruction and this surgery will, Lord willing, clear that up. Pray for Ivy and her family. She has been restless and anxious. May God bless baby Ivy with healing and her family with comfort and peace. Let us pray for all who have asked prayer from us, pray for one another, and pray that God bless you with just what you need. Amen!
In our rhythm of life there are certain events that seem to come at the same time for most; baptism, confirmation, and other events. I pretty much followed the events needed or desired, and tried to handle the surprises. My baptism was almost exactly thirty days after my birth, the result of my mother's many miscarriages, and this rush I am guessing was just in case. I was confirmed at nine years of age, and married at twenty-five; much too late in my grandmother's opinion; maybe too soon in others, but just right in my opinion. What about you?
In Jesus' life everything was on God's time and plan. Theologically, there was no need for Jesus to be washed from any sin, but His desire to identify with us, was strong and so He presents Himself for baptism by John the Baptizer at the Jordan River. And for the second time God makes a declaration of His delight, love, and pride in His Son, Jesus Christ. This happens for Jesus' sake, and for the sake of the inner circle, who wrote it down for ours. It is a public declaration of Jesus' lineage, plan, and purpose. And part of that transformation for Jesus happened in that moment. In our own lives, seeking transformation often requires leaving our comfort zones, immersing ourselves in new experiences, or facing challenges with an open heart.
The next phase of Jesus' life was a time of testing and connecting with God. The Holy Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness for a period of fasting and testing, a process of preparation for what lay ahead in His life and ministry. This particular version has Jesus tempted by Satan and Jesus' life among wild animals and having angels attending Him. The timeline in this version says "After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God." The sermon Jesus preached was simple and powerful, His Call to Action; "The time has come," He said, "The Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the Good News!"
What this teaches us is this; We should always be open to transformation as presented to us by God. This mean our deliberately wanting to leave behind complacency and comfort to seek those experiences that challenge us and allow us to grow. We should also seek to connect with the Divine in those spaces we create for allowing us to reflect and pray, inviting God's presence into our lives. As challenges come, we can face them with faith. We must never forget that even in times of trial, God is with us, helping us grow stronger and guiding us to where we need to be. Finally, let our actions radiate God's love and compassion to the world.
PRAYER: Loving God, grant us the courage to face challenges, the wisdom to discern your will, and the strength to reflect your love. May we transform ourselves and touch the world with the message of hope and grace. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Remember, like Jesus, you are loved, empowered, and destined to share God's light with the world.
I love you and thank God for you,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
