The Beginning and Foundation

One of our greatest needs as human beings is to be accepted; to be loved, to be valued. In the world, it’s true, that we often have to earn that acceptance. We have to earn that value. Sometimes we even feel we have to earn that love. It’s not often just handed to us. 

But what our scriptures teach is that love, acceptance, and grace are at the foundation of our faith. 

In fact, Luke makes this clear in one of the earliest stories in the gospel. He tells us that in Jesus’ baptism, the heavens are opened, the Spirit descends on him like a dove and God says, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

Now think about this: How much ministry has Jesus accomplished up to that point? None. In the very next line, Luke says, he was about thirty years old when he began his work. Up to that point, what had Jesus done to earn that blessing? Nothing.  

Before any ministry, before he sets out on that beautiful three-year journey of healing, and teaching, before there is any sacrifice, before even the cross, God says, “With you, I am well pleased.”

It’s true not only of Jesus. He’s pleased with you. He’s pleased with you. 

There is nothing you can do to earn that. There is nothing you can do to lose that. It’s called grace. And it is the very beginning and foundation of our faith.

Let us pray: God of grace, we thank you for your unconditional love. Help us to accept this love and share it with a world desperately in need. Amen.