Then Came Jesus

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17 (NRSV)

In Jesus’ baptism we find so many surprising and life-giving lessons. One of them is when God sees us, he sees his Son, and he says to us, “You are my beloved son, you are my beloved daughter in whom I am well-pleased.” The thing is it’s easy to lose touch with that Divine Voice of God. We forget our belovedness. We forget the belovedness of others. We listen to other voices, disparaging voices, and there’s a lot of them out there saying, “you’re an imposter.” You’re shameful, stupid, worthless, or ugly. Sometimes that voice comes from others, sometimes within. Sometimes we say it to others. Either way–it’s not the voice of God. Don’t listen. Don’t speak those words. Don’t look with that tone of voice. But two times, our passage says “see” or “look.” Hear the divine Voice and see the heavenly Dove, be both an audible and visual learner. God gives us the gift of spiritual sight and sound. This new year ask for the eyes to see and the ears to hear the good news of forgiveness and the power to humbly obey God’s will. You can do it because Christ is in you.

January 9, 2022 – Online Service Bulletin and Bible Study

Sermon Art: “The Baptism of Christ” by Raj Soloman, colored woodcut

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Other Sermons In This Series

Leadership and Followership

January 10, 2021