Affirmation

I must do better updating my blog. For those who actually check it occasionally I apologize; it would be helpful I suppose if you are a faithful reader of anyone's blogs to drop a comment from time to time to stay in touch or to acknowledge you read their blog. For me personally I would consider it an encouragement that someone out there in cyber-space took a moment of their time to read along with me.

I'm reading through the Gospel of Mark as my previous posts have mentioned. One of the things that I trying to do is learn to read through a book of the Bible in a single setting several times before trying to examine it on a verse by verse basis. You might try it; let me know if you find it helpful grasping the overall sense of the author's purpose.

Another helpful tip in study the Gospel of Mark that I'm currently working on is identifying the paragraphs throughout the whole Gospel, and writing a single sentence to describe the theme or purpose of that paragraph. Too often in the past, I practiced like many of you poor Bible Study skills by picking verses and words out without understanding their proper context and meaning in the overall purpose for the writing of the Gospel.

One of those paragraphs is Mark 1:9-11. This paragraph deals with the baptism of Jesus. It would be important to keep in mind that this baptism was not what we understand today as "Christian" or "Believer's" baptism. This was an Jewish baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (v. 1:4). Jesus' participation in this baptism was not because He needed to repent or be forgiven, but His baptism was sign of identification with the need of all sinful humanity who needed to repent and be forgiven; His baptism certainly agreed with the overall purpose of His incarnation. Jesus' baptism seems to mark the inauguration of Jesus' public ministry.

What I found to be intriguing was the two fold affirmation that Jesus received. As Jesus came up out of the water (a baptism of immersion), immediately the heavens tore open and the Holy Spirit in the likeness of a dove descended upon Jesus, and the voice of God audibly spoke. Trying to grasp what it must have been like to personally witness this event as one standing on the banks of the Jordon River intrigues me, everyone present saw the dove and heard the voice, but I imagine the only person who fully understood in that moment the significance of their meaning was Jesus Himself.

I believe the Spirit's anointing and the voice of God the Father was an important moment for Jesus. It was an affirmation of His life and His purpose for coming. NOW, if the Son of God needed affirmation, how much more you and I.

We live in a culture where people are quick to tear you down with their words and actions. We all know what it's like. I was reminded in the passage of the importance of affirmation. Maybe you can relate to that as well. Join me in working on being a person who affirms someone today. I realize for some you might have to look real hard, but find something today to affirm your spouse, children or grandchildren, neighbor, and co-workers, etc. Be genuine in your affirmation.

I want to become a person who is quick to authentically affirm others. How about you?