Epiphany Moments

An epiphany moment is one where there is a realization of truth, an understanding is acknowledged, an ‘aha’ moment, or a moment in time when a person ‘gets it’. Cartoons often acknowledge this moment with a light bulb going on and a big smile emerging from the character.

            At the Jordan River one day, John the Baptist had been preaching the message of repentance to all who came to him and listened. Many took to heart this message of the need to confess their sins and be renewed in faith. After confession took place they went into the water of the river and were baptized. John’s purpose in doing this was to prepare the people for Jesus and his teaching of a new way of life.

            When Jesus presented himself for baptism, John objected to this. Jesus did not need to confess or be reconciled with God. John knew who he was. But Jesus insisted in this so that he would be the same as the believers- baptized and made new. John did what Jesus asked and all was good. But when Jesus came up out of the water a moment of wonder, joy, and hope was shared in each drop. The heavens opened up and the voice of God acknowledged Jesus. God revealed himself in the moment of Jesus’ new beginning. The Spirit, in the form of a dove, flew down over Jesus. The Trinitarian God was present in that moment and the people present would have been in shock wonder and yet filled with the knowledge that Jesus really is the Son of God. There would have been no doubt within the minds and hearts of the people that day at the river. Unlike the doubt that surrounds people today even about the mere existence of God in any form.

           The Spirit of God descended upon Jesus and is present with those who have been baptized in Christ’s church. Yet somehow, sometimes we do not remember that the Spirit is with us wherever we go including in the church. Let us reflect on this story and invite the Spirit to come in again and again for the sake of the church and particularly for the sake of those who seek to know who Jesus is as God reveals him to be.

 

Did Jesus need to be baptized?  Please post your comments and reply to other comments with your views.