Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Denaha - Baptism of Jesus

Bible Reading: Mathew: 3:13-17

Key Verse:V16-17” As soon as Jesus was baptized he went up out of water. At that moment heaven was opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lightning on him. And a voice from heaven said, ’This is my Son whom I love. With him I am well pleased ‘

DEVOTION

 Our Church along with other Churches celebrate January 6th as Denaha which in Syriac means Sunrise or Dawn, signifying the Baptism of Jesus. Jesus is the real Sun that entered into the world through incarnation. His public manifestation to the world by God the Father as His Son .The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove (Mk 1:10-11, Lk.3:22, Jn.1:32) The three persons of the Holy Trinity also was manifested on that occasion. This incident is also called Epiphany or Theophany. 
The question we usually ask is, why was Jesus baptized, since he was sinless? Scholars have debated on this and could not find any single answer. 
        1.      Jesus repented with humans as a human to redeem humans. He took upon himself the common sin. 
        2.      Jesus was renouncing, not any guiltiness, but the dear and sheltered life of home, that he might be consecrated to a dangerous mission to which he felt called. At his baptism, Jesus took up that cross which he carried all his life and on which at the last he died. He gave up his home to become a homeless. 
        3.      After baptism Jesus initiated his own ministry. Jesus submitted himself to God’s authority

                                                            PRAYER

Thank you Jesus for your readiness to bear the burden of our sins to set us free. Amen

  Thought of the day

       Usually baptismal fond is placed near the front door of the nave, so that every worshipper would walk around it before getting to the pews, being a constant reminder that they have been baptized. Submission through baptism does not enslave us; rather it sets us free. 

Rev. Dr. Philip Varghese, Kozhencherry

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