Epiphany #8 of 14: baptism #4 of 5.

This is my beloved Son.

(Matthew 3:17)

“God is love” (1Jn 4:8). It’s a uniquely Christian affirmation. It’s found nowhere else in all of literature—not in any religious writings, nor among the philosophers, not even the poets. It’s not an idea about love or a philosophy of love; it has to do with Jesus’ baptism—with Epiphany, with how the beloved Son lived among us. It’s love in action. That’s how the Bible goes on to describe such love: “God showed his love among us by sending his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him” (1Jn 4:9). To know Christ is to experience the love of God: “God’s love is made complete in us” (1Jn 4:12).

Baptism is a loving event. The love of God the Father for the Son, and the love of God the Son for the Father; and, God the Spirit who binds us together in Christian love. This baptism love will lead Christ all the way to Calvary: “God loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1Jn 4:10).