THE GOOD NEWS
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”
Mark 1:9-11 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
It is interesting that the gospel of Mark, which scholars believe to be the oldest account of Jesus’ life written down, begins not with the birth of Jesus but the baptism of Jesus. Mark skips the amazing story of the virgin birth and the genealogy of Jesus. He starts out with these words, “This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.” Mark then introduces us to John the Baptist who Mark claims is the prophet spoken of my Isaiah. Mark says John’s role was to prepare the way for the Messiah. He is to get the people prepared for the message Jesus is going to bring. John baptizes Jesus in the Jordan River. This is interesting to think about because baptism was a sign of the cleansing from sin and commitment to follow God. Jesus had no sin but chose to be baptized as a pattern for those of us who would follow Him. It was after Jesus comes out of the water that Mark tells us a voice from heaven spoke. The voice says, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.” This is so pivotal of a moment. Jesus has not yet begun His earthly ministry. He has not preached a sermon, healed the sick, delivered the bound, walked on water, or fed the five thousand. All those things would follow. At this moment Jesus was just about the start His ministry. But Father God wanted Him, and us, to know that Jesus was “dearly loved” and brought the Father “great joy.” News flash: God’s love is not based on our actions. God loves us not because of what we do but because of who we are. He has chosen to love us. He has chosen to pour out His love on us. He wants to work in us and through us just because of who we are. We are a divine creation of God. We are created in the image of God. We must always start with who we are not with what we do.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit please help me to remember who I am as a divine creation of You. Help me live up to who I am.
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