In the Footsteps of Jesus #3

Scripture: Mark 1:1-11


¹The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

²It is written in Isaiah the prophet:
"I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way"—
³"a voice of one calling in the desert,
'Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.' " ⁴And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁵The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. ⁶John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. ⁷And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. ⁸I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

⁹At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. ¹¹And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

"Water Words"

Yardenit. That is the name given to the place where tradition says John baptized Jesus in the river Jordan. It wasn't what I expected. Too many movies led me to look for sand, rocks and hills. In fact this quiet little bend in the Jordan is green and lush, the waters calm and very clear.

As we stood beside the Jordan, in my mind's eye I tried to picture the scene: Jesus dripping with water breaking the surface, the heaven's opening and God speaking the words, "You are my beloved Son, with You I am well pleased."

These words come back to me every time I baptize someone. I believe that God speaks these same words each time a person recieves the waters of baptism. These "water words" should be as encouraging to us as they were when first spoken to Jesus.

Throughout the Christian life, we must remember that we are children of God, sons and daughters of a heavenly Father. He loves us deeply and He always will. Nothing can separate us from that love. Being washed in the blood of His Son, God is also pleased with us. We have His mark of approval placed upon us in the seal of baptism. When times get difficult, let us return to these "water words" and find comfort and strength.

Question: Which "water word" do you need most to hear today?

Prayer: Father, speak to us again and again throughout our lives. In Jesus' name. Amen.