Matthew 3:13-17 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 3:13-17 on biblegateway.com
Verse 13Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. Verse 14John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Verse 15But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. Verse 16And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. Verse 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."
Devotion
Today marks the beginning of the season of Epiphany. This season is one of revealing who Jesus is and is marked by two rather dramatic events. The first is the arrival of the Magi. “Where is the one born King of the Jews?” they asked. “We saw his star in the east and we have come to worship him.” The second revelation happens in today’s text as Jesus is baptized by John in the River Jordan: “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
As the days grow longer and the sun shines brighter, we will gain glimpses of our Savior. We will witness him calling ordinary people to carry forth his Kingdom on earth. He will preach radical news, calling people to both freedom and responsibility.
If you were to look up the word “epiphany” in the dictionary (or today, Google!), you might find two definitions. One has to do with this 12th day of Christmas, when the Christian season of Epiphany begins. But a second definition may say something like this: “A moment of sudden intuitive understanding; a flash of insight.” May I suggest that you pray for those people living in these days of darkness and uncertainty to have an epiphany, a flash of insight?
Prayer
God, I pray for my pastor, that the words from his/her mouth will lead us to insight, understanding and belief. Amen.