“You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

You walk differently with a dove on your shoulder

Blog Through the Bible Project

Mark 1:9 

 ⁹ At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰ Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. ¹¹ And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”


I like this Trinitarian passage. 


Most of us have a strong relationship with one member of the Trinity.


With me, it is Jesus.


With some, it is the Father, the love and acceptance and wisdom of the Father covering up the lacks they have experienced.


For whole denominations, it is the Holy Spirit, and the manifestations of Holy Spirit–tongues, healings, guidance, goosebumps–cause much joy and excitement.


I think this is probably fine, though I would imagine a balanced Christian spirituality would need a sense of the Father’s love, a sense of his glory, and an acceptance of his sovereignty. A thorough acquaintance with the way Jesus, God made flesh on earth thought, with what he valued, and what he taught us about life. And an experience of the Holy Spirit’s guidance, comfort and advocacy.


In this passage, we see all three things coincide–Jesus in humility is baptized by John, identifying with sinful man; the spirit descends on him and fills him. And he hears his Father’s affirmation, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”


Let’s pause, and see ourselves grafted into Jesus, as by faith we are. Let’s feel the Spirit descend on us and fill us. And let’s hear the Father say, “You are my daughter, whom I love. I am very pleased with you.”


I can hear those words intellectually, but sadly, not yet with my whole heart.