Where Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River is believed to be the lowest river on the surface of the earth. The waters there are brown and dirty, not pristine and blue. When Jesus steps into the waters of the Jordan, He does something unexpected. The sinless Son of God stands in line with sinners, the lost, the lonely, the downtrodden. John hesitates, but Jesus insists—because this moment is not about repentance for sin, but identification in love. Jesus chooses the path of humility, entering fully into the human story before beginning His public ministry. He walks into the waters made dirty by humanity itself, willing to step into the lowliest place that he might bring love and make clean.
As Jesus rises from the water, heaven responds. The Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father’s voice declares, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Before Jesus preaches a sermon, heals the sick, or goes to the cross, He is affirmed—not for what He has done, but for who He is. Beloved. Chosen.
The baptism of Jesus reminds us that our own faith journey begins the same way—not with performance, but with grace. God meets us in ordinary waters and speaks an extraordinary truth over our lives made possible by Christ’s love: You are my child, and you are loved. From that assurance, like the river itself, everything else flows.
(verse of the week)
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, 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, whom I love; with him I am well pleased (Matthew 3:16,17).”
Prayer Starter
Lord, help me to hear your voice of love and be affirmed that I am a beloved child of God, and through Christ I am washed and made new, restored and renewed, amen.
Have a great week!—Pastor TJ
“Before Jesus did anything for God, He heard who He was to God—and that is where true faith always begins.”
Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney YouTube & YouTube
Podcast on Spotify: Inspire Messages
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com
As Jesus rises from the water, heaven responds. The Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father’s voice declares, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Before Jesus preaches a sermon, heals the sick, or goes to the cross, He is affirmed—not for what He has done, but for who He is. Beloved. Chosen.
The baptism of Jesus reminds us that our own faith journey begins the same way—not with performance, but with grace. God meets us in ordinary waters and speaks an extraordinary truth over our lives made possible by Christ’s love: You are my child, and you are loved. From that assurance, like the river itself, everything else flows.
(verse of the week)
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, 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, whom I love; with him I am well pleased (Matthew 3:16,17).”
Prayer Starter
Lord, help me to hear your voice of love and be affirmed that I am a beloved child of God, and through Christ I am washed and made new, restored and renewed, amen.
Have a great week!—Pastor TJ
“Before Jesus did anything for God, He heard who He was to God—and that is where true faith always begins.”
Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney YouTube & YouTube
Podcast on Spotify: Inspire Messages
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com
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