Perhaps we don’t hear it often or clearly enough, but we too are God’s ‘beloved’.
When Jesus was baptized, his public ministry began. He helped people to understand that righteous living was necessary, not for eternal salvation, but for the well-being of the human community.
Worship this week:
Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel
Sunday – 8:30 a.m. – Traditional Worship
9:30 a.m. – Sunday School and New Member Orientation
10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship
Devotions for the week:
January 11, 2014 — “Jesus Baptism”
Reflect: Reflect on Sunday’s reading.Matthew 3:1-17
Study: Study the reading and consider the background.
John the Baptist was a prophet at the time of Jesus. He baptized in the Jordan River, asking people to repent for their sins. He knew Jesus was coming. He also knew that when Jesus started baptizing, it would be even more powerful. Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.
John gathered followers, baptizing them into a life of righteous living. Religious and political leaders who arrived at the Jordan River were reprimanded for their lack of righteous living. When Jesus was baptized, his public ministry began. He helped people to understand that righteous living was necessary, not for eternal salvation, but for the well-being of the human community.
Read about prophesies that promised a Messiah from King David’s heir.
Sunday, Matthew 3:1-17, Jesus’ Baptism
Monday, Psalm 2:7-8, Psalm
Tuesday, Judges 13:1-7, The Birth of Samson
Wednesday, Isaiah 11:1-9, God’s Peaceful Kingdom
Thursday, Zechariah 3:1-10, Joshua and Satan
Friday, Numbers 31:21-24, Cleansing by Fire
Saturday, Isaiah 40:1-11, A Voice in the Wilderness
- What did God promise the people? How does the story of Jesus’ baptism connect with the prophetic scripture readings?
- How does your community of faith honor its baptismal promises for those who are baptized?
- How do you claim God’s baptismal promises in your daily life? What difference does your baptism make in your life?
