Another hot and windy morning but the bike was calling me. A ride past Bunnings and around town brought me past the Anglican Church St Cyprians #cycling #Narrabri

Heaven and earth were made for a properly functioning humanity. Faulty humanity means a faulty world. Glen Scrivener

The idea of presenting a tortured man as art is subversive to say the least. To claim—as Christians do—that the man on the cross was God is the most revolutionary notion the world has ever entertained. Glen Scrivener

Thoroughly enjoyed a longer ride today, right up to the entrance to the Mount Kaputar National Park.

The cross is the most globally recognised symbol, certainly of religion, but perhaps of anything. Glen Scrivener

The extraordinary impact of Christianity is seen in the fact that you don’t notice it. You already hold particularly “Christian-ish” views, and the fact that you think of these values as natural, obvious or universal shows how profoundly the Christian revolution has shaped you. Glen Scrivener


Here’s the contention of this book: if you’re a Westerner—whether you’ve stepped foot inside a church or not, whether you’ve clapped eyes on a Bible or not, whether you consider yourself an atheist, pagan or Jedi Knight—you are a goldfish, and Christianity is the water in which you swim. Glen Scrivener

Scripture
And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
Observation
Jesus goes to the Jordan River to be baptised by John. John tries to talk him out of it, but Jesus says that He must do this to carry out what God requires.
As Jesus comes out of the water, the Holy Spirit comes down on Him in the form of a dove. A voice from heaven says, “This my dear Son who brings me great joy.”
Application
By being baptised, Jesus identifies with our sinful nature. Jesus never sinned, although Hhe was tempted in every way. To be baptised into John’s baptism of repentance was an act of humility.
The response of God was impressive. The Holy Spirit came upon Jesus in a visible way. Every on- looker would know that Jesus has been set apart by God for an unprecedented ministry.
The affirmation of the father is powerful.
“This is my son” – an affirmation of identity .
“whom I love” – affirmation of relationship
“He brings me great joy” – affirmation of Purpose
The Father’s blessing at this point was crucial to Jesus setting out in His calling with confidence and joy. This was a declaration by God the Father that He would not abandon his Son.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for your affirmation of me. Thank you for your everlasting, unquenchable love. Amen.