Today’s scripture: Matthew 3:1-6, 11, 13-17 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Brenda Corbello):
John the Baptist lived in the wilderness, and must have looked like a lunatic. He was controversial in his time. But when Jesus heard John’s preaching, he joined the crowds for baptism in the Jordan River.
I have often wondered what it was that made Jesus realize this was the time to embrace his calling. The stories from the Bible lead me to believe that Jesus always knew he was the Son of God. But for some reason, he had been living his life in obscurity. Was it something in John’s message that inspired him to make a change? Did he hear God calling him to action in the words of prophesy when John spoke of the one who would come after him who would baptize in the Holy Spirit?
And then, following his baptism, Jesus went into the desert for prayer and meditation. I cannot help but feel that He must have been thinking something like, “Am I really ready for this?” I believe he knew what was to come. He knew that his path would lead to his torture and death. I cannot imagine what that must have felt like.
We remember this time in the life of Jesus during the first week of Lent, but we don’t truly explore what must have been going through Jesus’ mind at the moment that he decided to allow John to baptize him. We only know that at that moment, his ministry began.
I feel I am at a point in my life where I want to make the decision to be more deliberate about how I live. There will always be temptations. Even Jesus, as God in the flesh, was subject to temptation.
But when I ponder what I want my life to be about, I think of what it would be like to feel that God might be pleased with me. I hope that I can follow Jesus in hearing God say, “This is my beloved [child], in whom I am well pleased.”
Thought for the day: Am I listening for God’s call, as Jesus was? God, help us to pattern ourselves after Jesus.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.