Baptism of the Lord (Luke 3:21-22)
Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
Reflection:
Our mountain community is covered with beautiful snow, and we do not meet at Maple Grove. However, we can still experience God’s Holy Spirit through personal meditation and prayer on the baptism of our Lord Jesus. In Luke 3:21-22, we are reminded of a special invitation for us in the baptism of Jesus Christ. As Jesus was baptized, all of us were baptized by the Spirit of God. As Jesus experienced the heavenly voice, “You are my son, and I am well pleased,” we also sense this special transformative invitation of God through our baptism. By the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, God dwells in us and renews our identity as God’s beloved people. Baptism connects us to the love of God and to one another who believes in God and wants to live in peace with others. Through our baptism, we become God’s beloved family. It means that we are all equal beyond our differences, and we belong to God!
Action for This Week:
As you remember your baptism, take time for self-examination.
- Through your baptism, you are reborn for a new life in Christ Jesus.
- What can you do to please the Lord?
- How might you deepen your relationships with God and others?
- Remember that you are God’s beloved child.
Prayer:
Loving God, as our land is covered with snow, send us the Holy Spirit so that we may be soaked with your love and grace. Help us remember our baptism: We are your beloved children together, and we live to please you, not ourselves, through our daily practices. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!
Blessings and peace,
Pastor Jae