“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” According to the gospel writers the heavenly voice spoke these words at the baptism of Jesus. With this affirmation, Jesus began his public ministry. What strikes me is that Jesus is beloved, Jesus is pleasing to his heavenly Father before he has done anything. He hasn’t preached a sermon, hasm’t performed any healings, hasn’t walked on water. Jesus is beloved, pleasing because of who he is, not what he does. The same is true for us. At our baptism God claimed us as beloved and pleasing just being who we are. We don’t need to do anything to get God’s love. Unlike the wisdom of society there is a “free lunch” with God.
