Sometimes somebody important to us says something to us which we never forget: a parent, a family member, a friend or a teacher.  In various times and places, the words play back for us and give us insight, confidence, or pause when we are in a particular situation.  Perhaps, especially, words which we have from our parents carry this special weight.  For me, one such phrase comes from my mother: “Patience is a virtue, possess it if you can; it’s seldom in a woman, but it’s never in a man.”  It does not take too much imagination to suggest when she would say this to me.  All of us have these little ditties or phrases which play for us at appropriate times.

When we think of the story of Jesus at his Baptism, we hear one of these memorable phrases.  We are at the very beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.  In these days, he will embark on the mission which defines his life.  After his Baptism by John, he hears a voice from the heavens:

“You are my beloved Son;
with you I am well pleased.”

What wonderful words.  Words which any child would love to hear from a parent.

Now this is before Jesus has done anything.  About to start his life’s work, he receives this powerful affirmation: “You are my beloved Son; I am well pleased with you.”  And perhaps that is the point: the Father’s love for Jesus is not something which is earned, something which is won or lost.  No, the Father speaks these words to him freely, permanently, and without qualification. Jesus knew that he was loved by the Father but having it said so clearly and so boldly deepens its truth on a human level. Jesus knew that he was loved. What a blessing it was to hear it spoken aloud and heard distinctly!

This knowledge stays with Jesus through the whole course of his ministry.  He was not afraid of any situation.  Even if everyone was against him and rejected him, he knew that he was loved.  In every circumstance, he knew that the Father was pleased with him and his efforts, no matter what anyone else thought.  The words which he heard at his Baptism continued to echo in his head.

At our Baptism, God speaks those same words to each of us: You are my beloved child, I am pleased with you.  We need to hear those words and allow them to guide our lives, just as Jesus did. The OT tells us that we are the apple of God’s eye and that God holds us in the palm of his hand.  We are loved.  How fearful could one be of death when we know that we are going to the one who loves us?

The story of the Baptism of Jesus reminds us of that truth in his life and what a difference it made.  Let us grasp that truth for ourselves.  Remember how God whispered to us on the day of our Baptism: you are my beloved child, I am pleased with you.  We may have forgotten that.  Let us pray that our memory be jogged today so that we live as and treat one another as God’s beloved children.  People on whom God’s favor rests.