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Pause For Thought: Beloved Children

News of John the Baptist spread everywhere throughout Galilee. When the word was told in Nazareth, Jesus recognized it as His call to ministry. He closed the carpenter shop, said farewell to His mother, and followed the people going to hear John preach.
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News of John the Baptist spread everywhere throughout Galilee. When the word was told in Nazareth, Jesus recognized it as His call to ministry. He closed the carpenter shop, said farewell to His mother, and followed the people going to hear John preach.

John had heard about Jesus, his cousin, even though they lived far apart—Jesus in Nazareth of Galilee and John in the wilderness of Judea. They had had no communication with each other, so no one could say they supported one another’s claims.

While John wondered about Christ not showing Himself, he waited on God to show him in due time that Christ truly was the promised Messiah.

When Jesus came to be baptized, John recognized a purity and holiness he had never seen in any man. He shrank from baptizing the Sinless One, baptism being a rite to show confession of sin to be cleansed. He stepped back, exclaiming, “I need to be baptized by you, and are You coming to me?!” (Matthew 3:14-17)

Jesus answered, “Permit it to be so now, for it is fitting to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John baptized Him. Coming up from the water, Jesus knelt in prayer on the riverbank, asking God to show He accepts humanity in the person of His Son.

Immediately the heavens opened and the Spirit of God, like a dove, alighted on Jesus and a voice from heaven spoke saying, “This is My Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”

The glory that rested on Christ at His baptism and the voice that spoke to Him is a promise of God’s love for us. It also tells us the power of prayer—how the human voice reaches the ear of God. Our sincere prayers are heard and answered in love. We are His beloved children.

If you have a question for Bible Mentor Marie Odell you can contact her by emailing: marieodell04@gmail.com

Marie Odell is a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

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