Have you ever had a moment of clarity when you could see things the way they really were?
Often we live our lives caught up in the fast and furious pace of the world; robotically living from one moment to the next. Occasionally however there are those rare times when everything
seems to snap into focus. Sometimes we have these insights in prayer, sometimes in relationships, sometimes in the overlooked details of daily living. Sometimes those moments are fleeting. Sometimes those moments are life changing.
A moment of clarity is a gift from God in which we are shown the truth; a truth that causes us to look deep into our own hearts and face what we see there. Those moments of clarity often affect us in a penetrating and personal manner. They lead us to spiritual crossroads that define our lives and direction.
Jesus had such a moment of clarity. One that brought him to a crossroads in his life. Jesus went to the Jordan to be baptized. The immersion of Jesus in that dirty filthy water revealed his place, his power, and his mission. In a moment of intense clarity, as Jesus rose from beneath the waters surface, his identity was revealed by the voice of God -“This is my son in whom I am well pleased.”(You see) Jesus’ baptism gave him the verbal assurance that he was indeed God's son.
He was born of the Holy Spirit, but his baptism gave him the visible assurance that the Spirit was present with him.(The Spirit descended upon him like a dove).
Jesus baptism gave him the positive assurances he would need during his temptation
and time of ministry, his sufferings and death. But despite knowing this, the road Jesus chose to walk certainly didn't make his life any easier; nor does our baptism make the challenges we face each day any less real. People still suffer, get sick, die, and experience the unfairness of life.
Challenges are always present in this world. Our baptism reminds us that we are renewed and reconciled children of God; beloved children of the resurrection.
There is a powerful sense of security in the knowledge that our baptism unites us to a community of faith. Because of our initiation into this Christian faith, we never have to walk life's journey alone.
Jesus’ ministry began in an act of solidarity with the lost.That act of solidarity was his baptism.
His baptism marked the beginning of his Salvific mission to save us from sin and death. Jesus’ baptism foreshadowed his ministry as the “Suffering Servant.” Being counted with sinners in baptism, he would be killed at the hand of sinners. But just as Jesus rose from the waters of the Jordan, so too would he rise form the grave. By his baptism, all barriers that kept us from God’s presence were broken. Through the water of baptism,the Holy Spirit flooded into the world. There was an intense moment of clarity unloosed upon God’s creation. What was revealed in that moment of immersion and rising up out of the water was: No longer was God’s Spirit reserved for only a few chosen people. Through Jesus the Spirit would be offered to all.
Salvation was suddenly available to everyone. That is a profound revelation! That is Good News!
Have you had precious moments of clarity regarding your relationship with God?
What moments of grace have you experienced?
How have these moments changed you?
How did those moments affirm your baptism
and life as a Christian?
Often we live our lives caught up in the fast and furious pace of the world; robotically living from one moment to the next. Occasionally however there are those rare times when everything
seems to snap into focus. Sometimes we have these insights in prayer, sometimes in relationships, sometimes in the overlooked details of daily living. Sometimes those moments are fleeting. Sometimes those moments are life changing.
A moment of clarity is a gift from God in which we are shown the truth; a truth that causes us to look deep into our own hearts and face what we see there. Those moments of clarity often affect us in a penetrating and personal manner. They lead us to spiritual crossroads that define our lives and direction.
Jesus had such a moment of clarity. One that brought him to a crossroads in his life. Jesus went to the Jordan to be baptized. The immersion of Jesus in that dirty filthy water revealed his place, his power, and his mission. In a moment of intense clarity, as Jesus rose from beneath the waters surface, his identity was revealed by the voice of God -“This is my son in whom I am well pleased.”(You see) Jesus’ baptism gave him the verbal assurance that he was indeed God's son.
He was born of the Holy Spirit, but his baptism gave him the visible assurance that the Spirit was present with him.(The Spirit descended upon him like a dove).
Jesus baptism gave him the positive assurances he would need during his temptation
and time of ministry, his sufferings and death. But despite knowing this, the road Jesus chose to walk certainly didn't make his life any easier; nor does our baptism make the challenges we face each day any less real. People still suffer, get sick, die, and experience the unfairness of life.
Challenges are always present in this world. Our baptism reminds us that we are renewed and reconciled children of God; beloved children of the resurrection.
There is a powerful sense of security in the knowledge that our baptism unites us to a community of faith. Because of our initiation into this Christian faith, we never have to walk life's journey alone.
Jesus’ ministry began in an act of solidarity with the lost.That act of solidarity was his baptism.
His baptism marked the beginning of his Salvific mission to save us from sin and death. Jesus’ baptism foreshadowed his ministry as the “Suffering Servant.” Being counted with sinners in baptism, he would be killed at the hand of sinners. But just as Jesus rose from the waters of the Jordan, so too would he rise form the grave. By his baptism, all barriers that kept us from God’s presence were broken. Through the water of baptism,the Holy Spirit flooded into the world. There was an intense moment of clarity unloosed upon God’s creation. What was revealed in that moment of immersion and rising up out of the water was: No longer was God’s Spirit reserved for only a few chosen people. Through Jesus the Spirit would be offered to all.
Salvation was suddenly available to everyone. That is a profound revelation! That is Good News!
Have you had precious moments of clarity regarding your relationship with God?
What moments of grace have you experienced?
How have these moments changed you?
How did those moments affirm your baptism
and life as a Christian?
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