The Baptism of Jesus

Reading: Luke 3v15-17&21-22

A word: The gospel accounts reminds us that Jesus chose to be Baptised by his cousin John, The Baptist. This is an important event because tells us that the time of John's ministry is drawing to its end and marks the start of Jesus' formal ministry.

At Jesus' baptism significant signs from God were shown that confirmed to John who Jesus was and prepared Jesus by anointing him with the holy spirit. Jesus baptism was also a time when there was the handing on of God's mission from John to Jesus. 

Here and now, in our time and place, there is a message here that needs to be taken heed of and not overlooked. This is that the Mission of God must be handed on in every generation. This means that today it is our turn to either hand-on or receive the baton of God's mission so that the faith we have shared or received can be handed on to others. 

Let us pray: Lord, we ask you to guide and help us to hand on your mission and ministry to the next generation by sharing what we know of your plans and purposes, as well as sharing how you have been present in our lives. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. Amen