Mark 3

 John the Baptist didn’t feel worthy to baptize Jesus. Few realized the true identity of the Messiah other than John. The obscurity and ordinary life of Jesus (if anyone could say it was ordinary) came to an end with His baptism. I’m struck how Mark states that immediately the heavens opened and a dove appeared. A distinct voice stated “You are My Beloved Son.”  Mark probably left out some details but he certainly wrote a convincing narrative that Jesus was no ordinary human. His few words have maximum impact to change how we think and live as we follow Jesus.

“The baptism of Jesus is deeply connected to the broader biblical narrative, particularly the themes of Exodus, the new creation, and Jesus' death and resurrection. The zhebrews passed through the waters of the Ref Sea, escaping death. Being baptized is not merely a symbolic act but a participation in God's new covenant, His promise of a new life as we surrender and obey. It is a reenactment of passing through the waters into new life  Jesus' baptism, marks the beginning of His ministry and foreshadows His death and resurrection. He connects it to the Exodus story, where passing through water signifies liberation and entry into God's promises. Jesus later speaks of His own suffering as a "baptism," reinforcing the idea that baptism is about dying and rising again.” - adapted from N T Wright

“I want more fear and trembling in my life as I consider the incomprehensible power that works within me (Philippians 2:13). I want for the mystery of “Christ in you” to really strike me as “the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27) and not just a bit of mysticism thrown into a faith that functions just fine without it. So I guess I should make sure I’m not settling for a mere rescue.

Life is profoundly holy if we let it be. So let’s let it be.” -  Jon Hyatt