SWB: Rising anew

On Sunday, the gospel reading was Mark 1:4-11 and the section of 9-13 is one I keep thinking on since I heard it.

The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus
9At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.
12At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, 13and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him."

Jesus was at a point in life where what he had been preparing for had to work out in practice. He had spent 30 years working towards all the opportunities that God had promised in and through him. What would it be like to be and live as God in the flesh and blood of humanity? Would he know the answers to all the big questions or would he just have bigger questions?

Either way, this scripture and the Sleeping with bread practice of considering what to let go of and what to hold on to have a great deal in common. Jesus arrived at the water that day a person holding on to life as he knew it and left that day dripping with the waters of baptism and taking steps into the desert.

Somehow it seems the waters of baptism soaked in deep allowing Jesus to be sustained in his desert retreat. It is also understood that Jesus did not go into the desert alone. He did go to the desert to be tested by Satan, but God's Spirit went with him. The spirit that descended upon Jesus during the oasis of baptism, was not limited to that refreshing environment. The Spirit was hearty enough to withstand extremes in temperature, isolation from human company, and all the temptations that were thrown its way. The Spirit of God helped retain some rest for Jesus in the midst of dire circumstances.


Image found at Cross Lane Student Ministries

The statement that, "God is with us." is one that has been repeated to me at increasing pace lately. Upon hearing this passage yesterday, I began thinking about what sort of things I need to take with me as I continue serving in ministry. I often think upon what book I should read next or what class would help me better understand and effectively practice the work that is youth ministry. Resources are good, but the ultimate resource is the Spirit of God.

After a workout at the gym the other day. I took a few minutes to sit in the steam room. It was hard to see across the small tiled box of a room due to the thickness of the steam. It was almost hard to breathe in the humid air, so I slowed my breathing in order to get what I needed. I sat quietly and water droplets to heavy for the air around me settled on my head, formed drops of water and began dripping from the ends of my hair and down my face. When I listened to the reading describing Jesus' baptism, I remembered sitting in the steam room and thought, " I wonder if Jesus noticed how wonderful it felt to have an unexpected shower of water run down his face?" I smiled knowing we had a baptism like this in common.

On the day I was officially welcomed into a new place of ministry, the reading that describes what Jesus did and experienced in preparation for ministry was read. Those words being read on that day fit together like bookends, like heartbeats in sync or like being caught in a cloudburst with someone you love. There is laughter, joy and refreshment in moments like this. Yes, there is the desert ahead, but the bearer of the water is coming with me.