At 30, Jesus was starting his public ministry. At his baptism, we see his Father opening the heavens and giving Jesus the provisions he will need for the journey ahead. He gives him the Holy Spirit to empower him, and the assurance of his unending love – two critical gifts that we too are given to sustain us for our journeys.
Provisions for the journey
9 January 2022 • Pastor Michael Dutschke • for the 1st Sunday after Epiphany
Bible Passage: Luke 3:15-17; 21,22
+ expandThe people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
New International Version (NIV) - for other versions see BibleGateway.com
