Grace Notes 2023-01-11

Wednesday, January 11th 2023

Concerning our vocation as evangelists, we gain momentum by doing the little things that we have some confidence in doing. Lots of little things add up. Getting on with the task at hand builds confidence.

Through the years I have often encouraged you to share things with other contacts you have on the various electronic social platforms that you spend time on. It might be a devotion that particularly strikes you, or that made you think of someone. How hard is it to forward such a devotional reflection with the lead line “I thought of you as I read this devotion”?

It doesn’t just have to be something from our church, though that doesn’t hurt, but anything pertaining to the Christian Faith is something you might pass along via the internet. When you do this on occasion your friends will note your desire to share matters of the faith. In God’s timing you never know when someone on your contact list is ready and wanting to explore the faith, and they will know that you are someone they might talk to!

I’ve emphasized this before, but it is not cheating to primarily reach out to those you know welland they know you. If we pay close attention, that is precisely how the first disciples reached out. Consider Andrew in the first chapter of John’s Gospel. In his excitement in discovering the joy in following Jesus, he first reaches out to his brother, Simon Peter. He invites him to come and see!

There are those in our congregation who are quick to send out a thoughtful card expressing gratitude, sympathy, or encouragement. In this electronic, digital age, that is old fashion. However, the extra effort is usually regarded as more personal and special. Simple? Yes. But it is those little things that begin to add up!

Do you live in a neighborhood with kids? I would bet you could come up with all kinds of ways to reach out to them…

 

Since You Asked…

What is the Significance of The Baptism of Our Lord? John the Baptist came proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Since Jesus was sinless he had no need to be forgiven. The human race, however, is sinful. And our need for forgiveness is great indeed. In explaining why he should be baptized by John, Jesus said, it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. In other words, Jesus came to stand with us and accomplish on our behalf all that God requires of us, including repentance and the forgiveness of sins! At his baptism there was a revealing (an epiphany) of the Holy Trinity. And at his baptism, Jesus took our humanity which he assumed in the Incarnation and lowered it in the cleansing water of Baptism. His public ministry would commence with this public rite.

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