The readings for today all seem to point to testimony. To truth. John speaks of the testimony of God on behalf of his Son, the psalm speaks of God giving his word , his statutes and ordinances to Israel, and the gospel makes plain (no pun intended) the ultimate testimony, the ultimate truth: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” There is no mistaking what God is showing us. What he is telling us to believe about Jesus.

For me the gospel reading in particular played out like a video …..the harsh desert landscape, a few brushy trees, John the Baptist and his followers grouped in the  muddy waters of the Jordan. A hot sun burning down on those who wished to demonstrate their repentance by John’s baptism with water. A tall figure approaches out of the desert, perhaps in a white robe, silent but imposing. Something about this man is different. People turn, wondering, but John knows who this is. He is humbled but complies with the man’s desire to be baptized. Perhaps he cradles the man with his strong arm and the total immersion is accomplished. Upon emerging, dripping with the Jordan’s waters, the heavens are “torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descend(s) upon him. And a voice (comes) from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

This is not Jesus’ formal declaration of his ministry. Not yet. But certainly he must have felt the affirmation from his Father as a go-ahead signal. I wonder what was in his mind as he considered this gesture, this baptism of water. He knew his baptisms would include more, much more. Was he anxious about the consequences of this public action? Was he feeling determined? Sent? Did he realize that immediately after this act he would be driven into the desert for forty days and endure much.

All these feelings are ours as well as we consider our life choices. We make a commitment to God and predictably are presented with a host of temptations and trials. It is good to remember that the Father’s words are ours as well – we are his beloved children and through it all we please him. We can claim the Spirit’s soft, gentle descent in that whisper from the Father showing us the way, the truth, the life.