With You I Am Well Pleased

Yesterday was Baptism of the Lord Sunday. In the Gospel of Matthew (3:13ff) we see that Jesus begins his ministry by being baptized.

Matthew tells us that in his baptism, the heavens were opened and the Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove. And the Father speaks, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

One of the greatest needs of a human being is to belong, to be seen and known and loved. Without that deep sense of knowing that you are wanted and needed and loved – in your family and in your community, it is very difficult to love and accept others as they are – much less begin to address the needs of a hurting world. 

Every year on the church calendar, the second week of January, just as we’re thinking about the new year ahead, new perspectives, and fresh starts, we read these stories of Jesus’ baptism. We’re reminded that before he ever begins, before he has done anything to earn it or deserve it, he is rooted and grounded in love… And so are we.

Sometimes we get those old tapes playing: You don’t belong. you’ll never belong. You’re not good enough. Nobody likes you… But, God says, “You are my son. You are my daughter, my beloved… with you, I am well pleased.”  

I hope you’ll never forget that.  

It is said that the spiritual giant and reformer Martin Luther – a man who had so much courage, a man who risked his life to make a difference – even though he was baptized as an infant, every morning he would wake up – splash water on his face and say to himself: Martin, remember your baptism… remember who you are.  

God says, “You are my son. You are my daughter, my beloved… with you, I am well pleased.”

Let us pray: We thank you, O God, for your unconditional love for us. We thank you that before we have done anything to earn it or deserve it, you have claimed us as your own. Help us to live and give out of that deep sense of knowing; through Christ our Lord. Amen.