The Baptism of our Lord was observed last Sunday. It reminds us how blessed we are to be included in a spiritual community. We are united with Jesus, who lives to please our Heavenly Father. So fitting that we join His prayer in saying the “Our Father,…” When Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River, the Father’s voice affirmed His good pleasure. Signs and wonders ensued from the beginning in Jesus’ ministry. We were baptized into a death like his, and we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

I try not to envy those who claim that they get audible messages from God, actual words. We can all rejoice that the voice of God speaks from the words of Holy Scripture. It is like plump, juicy apples falling from Paul, Moses, David, Luke, et al. I remember a Harry Potter movie in which there was an animated book that seemed to come alive in Harry’s hands.

The voice of the Lord may shake the mighty cedar trees in Lebanon (Psalm 29) or it may be so still and silent that it is barely perceptible. Like the wind, maybe. I like to think that God has a voice of approval as He did for His Son. Thanks to His unconditional love, we have the seal of approval from the promised Holy Spirit. There is nothing the world or anyone in it can do to separate us from His love. Jesus includes us in his life, yes, and in his death, and most importantly his resurrection.

Pastor Art