Listen

About that time, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. While he was coming up out of the water, Jesus saw heaven splitting open and the Spirit, like a dove, coming down on him. And there was a voice from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I dearly love; in you I find happiness.”

At once the Spirit forced Jesus out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among the wild animals, and the angels took care of him.

After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee announcing God’s good news, saying, “Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!”

Mark 1:9-15

Think

In the baptism of Jesus, there are many moving parts: the baptism by John, the heavens opening, and the voice of God saying: “You are my Son, whom I dearly love; in you I find happiness.” Then Jesus is immediately driven into the wilderness by the Spirit, where for forty days he is taunted and tempted by Satan, and the angels minister to him.

“In you I find happiness,” says God. God chooses us. God’s love is unconditional. Still, it does not protect us from struggle. What is the wilderness for you and where is the wilderness for you? As we grow up the wilderness may change, but it does not go away. Jesus was not alone in the wilderness, and neither are we. Think of being chosen – not for a team or an achievement or an award. We don’t have to earn anything for God to love us. We are chosen just because of who we are. This is an affirmation of our worth. May we recognize who we are, whose we are, and to whom we belong.

Sandye A. Wilson

Question to Ponder:

What is the wilderness for you? What does it mean to you that you are never alone?

Pray

Dear God,

Thank you for choosing me and for loving me.

Help me to PUSH through Life: to Pray Until Something Happens,

giving thanks that you are always with me, even in the wildernesses of my life.

Amen.

Go

Go now in peace, go now in peace. May the love of God surround you, every day and everywhere you may go.