February 13, 2011                            E-Good News

 Good morning everyone:

 Matthew 3 16-17  “And when Jesus had been baptized by John, 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.”

 The scripture of Jesus’ baptism is a powerful story.    There are several things we can learn from them that help us in our Christian walk.   First, baptism was already a practice amongst the Jewish people and it signified a change in one’s life.   People were baptized as they re-dedicated their lives to God.  Jesus baptism was his dedicating his life to the ministry he had been sent to do.  It marks the beginning of his ministry.   Second, Jesus baptism signifies his humility and the servant attitude of his ministry.   If there was anyone who didn’t need to be cleansed of his sins, it was Jesus.  But he was baptized anyway to show his connection with us.   In this simple way he identifies with us.    Thirdly, Jesus baptism is one of the few places in scripture we see the Trinity, Father-Son-and Holy Spirit, identified.  Father speaks from heaven, the Son is baptized, and the Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus.  What a wonderful gift we have from God.

 Today, remember your own baptism. Rededicate your life to God.  Identify with Jesus as a human, just like you and hear the blessing of the Trinity, you are a beloved child of God.

 Have a great day.

 Rev. Bob Thomson