Immersed in God's Transforming Love

 


"In those days Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the Jordan.  And just as he was coming up out of water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.  And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." --Mark 1:9-11

This week we considered the story of Jesus' baptism.  We noted that it was a momentous decision that Jesus was making, leaving Nazareth for the long journey to the Jordan , a passage similar to the one that Mary and Joseph made to Bethlehem three decades before.  Jesus joins the large crowds of people being baptized by John.  His life was taking a powerful turn.  Though he eventually would come back to Galilee, he would return different than he had  left, and his life would embody new mission.  

Eighteen years have passed since the twelve-year-old Jesus  sat with the teachers in the Temple.  What has he been doing since them?  Perhaps he worked with Joseph in the carpentry business, becoming a carpenter himself.  He continued to participate in life in the synagogue, growing  and maturing in his faith and his humanity. 

What do you think might have moved Jesus at this particular time, to "step out" of life as he had known it ?  Was he exploring God's path and plan for his life?  Did he go to join himself with the rest of God's people as they entered the waters, to be in relationship with them?  Did he know that this would lead him into his ministry?

We began a good discussion about Jesus' decision to be baptized.  We profess that Jesus is without sin; why then would he take part in a "baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins?"
Perhaps he , too, is immersing himself in God's transforming love!  And as he enters the waters, he is joining with everyone else right where they are, sharing in their lives and sharing himself with them.  It was suggested that Jesus sees the people in the Jordan as peers.

Up until now he has been "Jesus of Nazareth" or "Jesus, son of Joseph and Mary."  But as he comes up out of the water he sees the heavens "torn apart;"  there will no longer be any barrier between heaven and earth, or between God and God's people.  And he receives new names and divine identity:  Son; Beloved; the One Who Lives to God's Pleasure.

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