Sent Forth as the Beloved of God
Thursday, January 8, 2015 at 12:11PM Jesus’ baptism celebrates his rite of passage into public ministry, but it also concludes the Christmas season. His baptism shows the relational mutuality exercised in the Trinity. The heavens opened and Jesus encountered the Spirit who descended on him in the form of a dove (Mark 1:10). While the Spirit brings Jesus the welcome greeting of peace, it will also thrust Jesus into the desert where he will be tempted and emptied in order to launch a campaign of mercy, compassion, and justice.
After the dove descends, then the voice of the Father says, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11). For sure, the Father makes known the beloved relationship He shares with the Son. Later, as Jesus enters into active ministry, he, too, relates to the beloved relationship by calling his Father Abba. Intimacy defines their relational colloquy, that is, Jesus abides in the Father and the Father abides in the Son.
As we conclude the Christmas season, we too are sent out in the name of Jesus. As he was mutually in the company of the Spirit and the Father, likewise we are not alone in life since Jesus is a brother among us. We remember and hold dear the mutuality we share through our own baptisms. We witness with Jesus by joining with other believers in promoting life and liberty which all began with Jesus.