Well Pleased

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. And 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. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:13-17 

All children ache for praise and crave attention. Our present society coddles certain children and others are treated as villains. Some children from privileged families, have so many stars and awards that they believe they are superhuman.. The immigrant children, children of the poor, and many others, are taken away from loving parents and in so doing punished for their poverty. It is only human to desire the love of family and the nod from our Creator. We just want a little encouragement, when we are facing rough waters and challenging seas.

Jesus comes to a place of major transition. It is time to get on with the work he was born to do. He goes to John to be baptized, although John wants to argue. Jesus has a good idea that it is important to submit to the dunking, submit to the dangerous waters, as a preparation for the work ahead. And when we comes up out of the water, they hear they acknowledgement and approval of God by word and sign. And it is important today for all of us to hear and see the approval from God is for all of us. All of us through that baptism are the beloved children of God, equipped with what we need for the work we are called to do.

Today I ask God to help me go deep and get on with the work ahead. May we all hear the voice of God cheering us on, even when the world might be very critical. May this be a day when we feel, see and hear God's love for us as we move forward to serve others.