The Baptism of the Lord
Scripture
It was at this time that Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised in the Jordan by John. No sooner had he come up out of the water than he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit, like a dove, descending on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.’(Mark 1:9-11)
Reflect
Are there times when you don’t feel so favoured by others? Perhaps you’ve been overlooked a promotion, been left out of a conversation, never received that invitation you’d expected, or felt as though your talents have been disregarded or your contribution undermined. Today, we read about Jesus being the Beloved Son of the Father, on whom his favour rests. And because God loves us, because he loves you, he wants us, he wants you, to be drawn into that loving relationship. Only Jesus by rights can call God his Father but through the spirit of adoption we become Jesus’ brothers and sisters, and are drawn deeper into the divine life, knowing that we are loved and valued as children of God.
Prayer
God our Father, how beautiful that sounds, ‘God our Father.’ Help us to know that we are loved, as your children, with Jesus as our brother and Saviour. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
