Entering Our Space…
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
With the prologue finished, the Christ event begins in the Gospel of Mark. The journey begins in Galilee and comes to the prophet at the Jordon River. John baptizes him with water without the pushback of the other Gospels. Coming up out of the water, it is no proclamation of the Law or the Prophets that declare Jesus as the beloved Son of God; the heavens and a movement of his Divine Spirit proclaim it! With such a declaration, thus begins the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, fully human and fully divine.
Here comes the Son of God, who, as John clearly states, is mightier than any of us, humbles himself, and takes on the sign of human repentance in his baptism. In all the arguments about baptism over the centuries, does anyone stop to ponder this moment as a teaching lesson? Jesus is submitting to humanity and divinity, foreshadowing his future teaching and actions. It gives me goosebumps!
How does Paul put it? Jesus “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:7-8)
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for giving us goosebumps! Your humanity is such a sacrifice in itself; keep us from taking it for granted.
You willingly entered into our world to rescue us as an act of divine love. Teach us to serve others by entering into their space so that we can share your grace with them.
I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ; God-Man. Amen!
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