In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Mark 1:9-11
You Are, I Am
I am starting to read and reflect on the book of Mark. We had a special speaker at church on Sunday and he recommended reading a chapter a day from Mark to read the entire book in sixteen days. It’s a great idea, even though I am going to take it a little slower and try to “savor the flavor” a bit.
So Much Good Stuff
I read Mark 1 and there is so much good stuff in just the first chapter of this gospel, but something that really stood out to me is the baptism of Jesus.
Maybe because it happens right before his forty days in the wilderness (the pattern for Lent) and maybe it is just God encouraging me in what seems like a very draining season of the year. Who knows?!
A Great Honor
John the Baptist is preaching in the desert and baptizing people in the Jordan River when he gets the greatest honor of his life. He gets to baptize Jesus.
As Jesus comes up out of the water of the Jordan River, the heavens tear open. The Spirit of God descends like a dove onto Jesus. God’s voice is heard audibly, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.”
An Incredible Moment
What an amazing moment! Wouldn’t you have loved to have been there? I’m sure those who were there had chills running down their spines. It is truly an incredible snapshot in history.
I am
In the old testament, God answers the question of ‘what is your name?’ with two tiny words – I Am. When He announced “with you I am well pleased” over Jesus, it was a declaration of the divinity of this man that some just saw as a carpenter’s son.
In those two tiny words all the weight and history and inheritance and longing of the people of Israel was fulfilled. In the person of Jesus.
The righteousness of Christ Jesus
When we believe in what Jesus did for us, when we accept who He is and choose to follow Him, when we ask for the gift of salvation and the forgiveness of sins, this same baptism moment is applied to us.
We take on the righteousness of Christ Jesus in God’s eyes. Instead of our own filth and bad choices, we get washed in the perfection and sacrifice of Jesus. We become God’s children.
Well Pleased
The Almighty, the Creator God looks at you and me and says, “You are my beloved son (or daughter); with you I am well pleased.”
In a season of feeling like I have to meet up to everyone’s expectations and get done far more than I have time to do, all I really need is to put on the righteousness of Christ and rest in the knowledge that instead of my mistakes, God sees His child.
What God Says is What Matters
What I feel about myself does not determine who I am – what God says about me determines my identity and value.
Action Step:
Today, let’s not let our unfinished to-do lists, our missteps, our problems or stresses define us. Let’s depend on the righteousness of Jesus and realize that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Whenever we start to feel discouraged today, let’s remind ourselves that we are children of the Most High God and He values us.
Prayer:
God, I am so thankful that my mistakes don’t define me. I am so grateful that You look through the lens of Jesus’ sacrifice to see me. Help me to rest in that righteousness and to depend on Your strength for all my needs today. In Jesus’ name, amen.