Hearing the Voice
Sometimes you need to hear something said out loud. We may well, suspect it, but you need to hear it put into words. There is something about a thought, expression or understanding being verbalised that makes it concrete and real.
And who isn’t waiting to hear those words,
I love you, and I’m proud of you?
The Baptism of Jesus
9About that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptised him in the Jordan River. 10As soon as Jesus came out of the water, he saw the sky open and the Holy Spirit coming down to him like a dove. 11A voice from heaven said, “You are my own dear Son, and I am pleased with you.”
Jesus and Satan
12Right away God’s Spirit made Jesus go into the desert. 13He stayed there for forty days while Satan tested him. Jesus was with the wild animals, but angels took care of him.
Jesus Begins His Work
14After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee and told the good news that comes from God. 15He said, “The time has come! God’s kingdom will soon be here. Turn back to God and believe the good news!”
Attribution: RIA Novosti archive, image #842747 / Maksim Bogodvid / CC-BY-SA 3.0
You are the One I love, you make me very glad (Tom Wright, p12)
The words of God to Jesus – his voice saying what Jesus, John and those gathered needed to hear. Verbal confirmation of what they were beginning to suspect. Yes Jesus is God’s son, yes this is what he’s been talking about for years, yes the new thing I promised is here.
Mark wants us to hear the voice of God at Jesus baptism (p12) – but not only then. Are we open to hearing God’s voice day by day? As we set aside time and space during Lent, are we expecting to hear God’s voice? Are we listening for it? Will we respond when we hear it?
For as Tom Wright points out, “Those who hear this message, must also hear another one”.
‘Turn back’ – turn back from doing things your own way, from organizing your life according to your own hopes and whims. If God is becoming king, and if Jesus is being installed as the human king through whom God’s kingdom is now happening, the only appropriate reaction is to abandon our own little hopes and schemes, and let God be God in our lives. And through our lives. (p 13)
God is speaking. What is he saying to you?
Thank you God
that you speak to me.
That you speak words of reassurance –
and words of challenge.
May I hear your voice,
your word to me,
and respond
This year, I am again following the Big Read using Tom Wright’s Lent for Everyone – Mark. I’ll reflect here – if you’re following it too, or even if you’re not, please share with me.
Pam's Perambulation 