Epiphany

January 10, 2021

Scripture Reading:
Mark 1:4-11
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.‘

We know the story of Jesus going to the temple with his parents when he was about twelve years old that he had a special interest in God. His parents had to go back and find him. When they located him, He said to them, ‘Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’ (Luke 2:49) This response leaves us with the impression that Jesus had some indication of who he was at an early age. We only can speculate about what he did between that visit and his baptism, which solidified his identity publicly for those who were present and understood the message. Jesus’ baptism marks the start of His known among the people of Galilee and Judea.

Do you remember your baptism or confirmation? Were you surrounded by people who were well pleased with your decision to follow in the footsteps of Jesus? Have you been one of those pleased people on such an occasion? God created us to live in faith with God and in community with one another. Such interrelationships are necessary for the work of Christ’ Kingdom to not only flourish, but as Jesus says in John 14:12, Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.

I envision God’s Kingdom like a jigsaw puzzle. When all the parts fit together, a full picture appears. Jesus started with a 12-piece puzzle, which has expanded to the potential of including everyone on earth working together, creating synergy while each is being the person God created them to be. Unfortunately, we live in a world where we do not accept some as worthy of being in our puzzle. We do not clearly understand that the world God created functions best only when all the pieces are linked as one. If we truly desire for our world to be based on God’s Kingdom vision, we must throw out all the ways we exclude others and work together to find our common ground in God.

Prayer: Lord, give us your vision and plan for making our world more like your Kingdom. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.