eFollowingJesusJan6 - Beloved (Matthew 3:13-17)
Jesus emerges from the Jordan, very near the spot where Israel crossed centuries before to enter the promised land. Just as God created the waters, now God fashions a new world in Jesus. Just as a dove heralded the end of Noah's flood, now a dove hovers over Jesus - a sign of hope, the Spirit's life-giving force. Just as God spoke at Creation, "Let there be light," now a word is heard from the heavens: "This is my beloved son."
With Jesus we are in a whole new world. "For God so loved the world that he gave his 'beloved' Son" (John 3:16). You, too, are beloved. Isn't this the truth we miss (as in Kathy Mattea's song, "Standin' knee deep in a river, dyin' of thirst")? God is "pleased" with you - not because of some pleasingness in you, but because of the gift of God's grace. You are beloved, even in this cold, calculating world. Invisibly the Spirit descends with power - which you will need, just as much as Jesus needed it for what he had to face.
Lord, thank you for sending your beloved Son, so I might know I am beloved. Send the Spirit on me with power.
James
james@mpumc.org
Here is the full text of Matthew 3:13-17 - 13: Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14: John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15: But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness." Then he consented. 16: And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; 17: and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
Myers Park Church is forming groups to study Matthew; Click here to learn more. On Wednesdays mid-day, starting January 11 and running through April, at noon, I'll be working through Matthew in downtown Charlotte (First Methodist). Email readers are welcome to come any or all Wednesdays!
On Wednesday evening (still the 11th), I will offer a one-time broad survey of the entire Gospel of Matthew, 6:45, at Myers Park.
The full eFollowingJesus series (thus far!) may be found on our web site.
