And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’ (Matthew 3:16-17)

I have recently become very aware of my behavior in front of others and how it is a reflection of my life with Christ… either a positive reflection, or a negative one, depending on how I behave.  How I react to challenges and disappointments will show others how true I am to my beliefs. Am I able to walk in the spirit of Jesus each day, in each circumstance, when it really counts? Do I pray before I eat at a restaurant, do I forgive those who have wronged me or my family, do I have patience when my children push my buttons at the grocery store? Sometimes the only Christ someone sees is the one I reflect to them.  How am I witnessing my faith?

Jesus certainly did not need to be baptized.  Even John the Baptist questioned why he was requesting to be baptized for he knew that Jesus was sinless and had no need to repent.  But Jesus was being baptized in order that the prophecy may be fulfilled through him.  He was repenting of the sins of the whole world, eventually offering himself as a living sacrifice for all.  God calls us to be obedient.  Jesus was showing his obedience to God and being an example to the onlookers of answering God’s call to repent of our sins and turn to God. When people know we call ourselves “Christian,” they view what we do and how we act as a reflection of Christianity.

Lord, you have made me your witness. Help me to understand the responsibility that comes with this privilege. Just like a city on a hill cannot be hidden, neither can the light you have placed in me.  Help me spread that light, to be a window through which others can see you more clearly. I do not want to be a barrier that keeps others from wanting to know you. Amen.

 

Photo: Flickr