Listen

John the Baptist was in the wilderness calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins. Everyone in Judea and all the people of Jerusalem went out to the Jordan River and were being baptized by John as they confessed their sins. John wore clothes made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. He announced, “One stronger than I am is coming after me. I’m not even worthy to bend over and loosen the strap of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

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.”

Mark 1:4-11

Think

Today is known as Baptism of our Lord Sunday. We remember the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. And in many churches, Christians are invited to remember their own baptisms today.

Think back on your baptism. If you were a baby, you may only be able to remember through pictures and stories, how you cried or slept peacefully as the water trickled over the font and the sign of the cross was made on your forehead. If you were a youth or adult, you may remember wading into the baptistry, the feeling of falling back into the water and rising up again. Think about what your baptism was like. Whether you were sprinkled or dunked, all baptisms have (at least) one thing in common: the water.

Water is cleansing and refreshing. Water is a force of creation and a giver of life. The waters of baptism symbolize a new beginning — a new life in Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, beloved as children of God. That’s your gift. That’s who you are. Remember that today.

Meredith Forssman

Pray

Loving God, thank you for calling me to follow your son, Jesus. This call becomes tangible and real in baptism. Let me walk in the memory and assurance today that I am your beloved child, that your Spirit walks with me, and that Jesus is leading me in the way of new and abundant life. Amen.

Go

Holy God,

At the waters of his baptism you proclaimed Jesus your beloved Son.

With the baptized of every time and generation, may we go forth today, saying yes to your call to repentance and being led to the life of abundance we experience in your kinship and your love.

Amen.

adapted from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, Augsburg Fortress