Mark 1:4-11 (NRSV)
Read Mark 1:4-11 on biblegateway.com
Verse 4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Verse 5And 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. Verse 6Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. Verse 7He 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. Verse 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
Verse 9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Verse 10And 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. Verse 11And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
Devotion
At his baptism, God the Creator calls Jesus "the beloved." This is a glimpse of what God names us at our baptism. We, too, become "beloved" of God. No matter what other names you are called by others—or even by yourself—baptized into Christ you are now the beloved of God. Sometimes we are unkind to ourselves and thoughtlessly call ourselves names like stupid, silly, spazz, ugly, unfocused, unreliable, unlovable, foolish, klutz and so on. In other words, we tell ourselves that we are not good enough.
In baptism, we see ourselves in a new mirror. God holds the mirror of Jesus Christ up to us and proclaims you are beautiful, you are whole, you are worthy, you are loved. You are a beloved child of God. That is who you are. That is your true identity. No matter what. May you live out of and into that identity.
Prayer
God of grace, thank you for loving us, claiming us and making us your own. Amen.