A New Beginning

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Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17 (ESV)

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Devotion:

            Jesus’ birth, which we just celebrated, marked a new beginning for humankind. Today, we consider Jesus’ baptism and its meaning to those called to believe in His name. We also mark the beginning of a new calendar year today. It seems we are in a season of new beginnings.

            With all this newness comes new expectations. For example, my son and daughter-in-law are expecting the birth of their second child, a daughter, in May. On the world scene, we see many possibilities for changes to the status quo (not all of them positive) that may occur. Will there be peace or more war? Will humans learn to get along with fellow humans this year? Our hopes are not high on that last front, but we continue to hope against the odds anyway.

            So, what can be the only hope of solace and stability for us in these turbulent and uncertain times in which we live? It seems that hope must be in the tiny baby that came 2,000 years ago, born in times as uncertain as our own. His birth was a sign that God is always doing new things if we are ready to receive them. Bethlehem is not in any better shape today than before His birth, nor is the world in any better shape than 2,000 years ago. One thing has changed, though.

            We have a place of solid hope. Jesus of Nazareth was baptized by His cousin John to symbolize the reality of that new hope. A voice from heaven spoke words of encouragement to a disfigured world. From then on, a new king would be in charge. He wore no crowns or costly robes. No fancy jewelry. The only sign of His kingship was a baptism. A sign of new life for a New Year came quietly among us. Will we stop and notice? Or will we let another year go by without finding the world's Savior?

Prayer:

            Lord, we wish one another a Happy New Year on this day. Help us also to find new life in Jesus this day. Let us not wait another year, month, day, minute, or second without seeking and finding Jesus. Let us be baptized anew not with water but with the filling of your Holy Spirit. May we live out the love you have called us to, O God. Amen,


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