Bishop Eric Menees
This past week we celebrated the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus. I was struck by the gospel lesson from Mark and the description of Jesus’ baptism that goes as follows: “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 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. 11 And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’” (Mark 1:9-11 ESV)
Last week I spoke of God’s desire to adopt us as his beloved and cherished children as stated in John 1:12-14. This, of course, is modeled in God’s pronouncement at the Baptism… “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
However, in addition to becoming God’s adopted Children, God wants to empower and equip us through the Power of the Holy Spirit. Again, in the Baptism of Jesus we witness an example of this with the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus as he came up out of the waters of baptism: “10 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.”
Of course, the answer to the questions of why Jesus was baptized, why the Holy Spirit descended upon him, and why the voice of God came from the heavens is simple: to fulfill all righteousness! Jesus was the ONE person in history who didn’t need baptism, but because of his example, billions have been baptized.
In the baptism of Jesus, we have all of the elements to becoming and remaining a disciple of Jesus Christ. It begins with a submission to Jesus as Lord and Savior. With belief in his name, we are adopted as God’s sons and daughters (John 1:12), and in baptism that adoption is sealed. In baptism, we are anointed by the Holy Spirit and called to ministry.
A disciple of Jesus Christ is a baptized believer, empowered by the Holy Spirit, who seeks to be an obedient son or daughter committed to living out their life serving Christ and his Church!
I pray you all every blessing living into the life of a disciple!
However, in addition to becoming God’s adopted Children, God wants to empower and equip us through the Power of the Holy Spirit. Again, in the Baptism of Jesus we witness an example of this with the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus as he came up out of the waters of baptism: “10 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.”
Of course, the answer to the questions of why Jesus was baptized, why the Holy Spirit descended upon him, and why the voice of God came from the heavens is simple: to fulfill all righteousness! Jesus was the ONE person in history who didn’t need baptism, but because of his example, billions have been baptized.
In the baptism of Jesus, we have all of the elements to becoming and remaining a disciple of Jesus Christ. It begins with a submission to Jesus as Lord and Savior. With belief in his name, we are adopted as God’s sons and daughters (John 1:12), and in baptism that adoption is sealed. In baptism, we are anointed by the Holy Spirit and called to ministry.
A disciple of Jesus Christ is a baptized believer, empowered by the Holy Spirit, who seeks to be an obedient son or daughter committed to living out their life serving Christ and his Church!
I pray you all every blessing living into the life of a disciple!
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