Re:Verse passage – Mark 1:9-15 (day three)
“…and a voice came out of the heavens: ‘You are my beloved Son, in you I am well-pleased.’”
When this Advent season closes, we will look on toward the angel’s proclamation to the shepherds: “On earth peace, good will towards men.” There is a kinship between the shepherd announcement and the baptism announcement – namely, God’s favor toward human beings. Writing later in his gospel, the apostle John announced, “For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten Son…” Jesus pleased God like no man before had ever pleased him, and God loves human beings like no one but God could ever love us. God’s favor spills over from Jesus to us. When we receive the Lord Jesus into our lives, we will know that favor the way Jesus knew it when he emerged from those baptismal waters.
Brian, what a beautiful reference of Gods love to us – in that ‘God’s favor spills from Jesus to us’. . I’ve never heard it expressed in quite these words. I am so grateful that you are a contributor and share your insights on theeverydayprayer.