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Mark 1:9-11
Here, in a gentle but spectacular way, we see God the Trinity at work. Having been baptised by John, Jesus saw the Holy Spirit descending upon him and God the Father spoke from heaven confirming his identity. As Jesus stepped into his new ministry, it was vital that it was clear the whole Trinity were involved, and that’s what we will see in the following chapters. Jesus continually sought to be close to his Father in prayer and was led by the Spirit. People often struggle to understand the Trinity, but it is in Jesus’ ministry, we see most clearly how they all work together.
I believe that it is helpful if we are continually aware of the presence and blessing of God the Trinity in our lives. God is our creator, and we bring our worship to him through Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Bible is quite clear that they are distinct from one another, and yet absolutely one. At the dawn of creation, all the members of the Trinity were present. God the Father spoke his word and, in his Gospel, John explained that Jesus was that word, and the Spirit hovered over the surface of the waters. Now, in Jesus’ baptism, the Father, Son and Spirit meet in the River Jordan.
People often say that they find the Trinity confusing, but the Bible never sets out to explain it to us as if it is some sort of complicated mathematical puzzle. The Trinity is presented to us as the basis of our worship. God is always infinitely beyond our understanding but, as we see the relationship between the Father, the Son and the Spirit, we are invited to join in relationship with them. At the heart of that relationship is love. God the Father loves us so much that he sent Jesus into the world to be our saviour, and when Jesus ascended to his Father, God sent his Spirit to lead us to Jesus and enable us to do even more than could be achieved in Jesus’ earthly ministry.
QUESTION
How does Jesus’ baptism help you in your understanding of the Trinity?
PRAYER
Father, Son and Spirit I thank you that you love me and call me into relationship with you today. Amen
Released on 11 Feb 2023
Mark 1:12-13 We would all like to think that if our lives were totally led by the Spirit - like Jesus’ was - then we would be able to avoid all challenges and difficulties. Life would be one long succession of blessings and smiling, happy peo...
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