Many of us have been baptized, but how many of us remember our baptism? Depending on your religious background, we may have been baptized as infants, young children, young adults, or even as an older adult. So, remembering it may be near impossible.
For those who were baptized as infants, they may have gone through confirmation classes and been confirmed in a church in their early teens. If so, they may remember those classes and the experience of being confirmed. If you went through that, how was that experience?
I grew up in a tradition in which a person was not baptized until they were old enough to make the decision on their own. We moved between my eighth grade and freshman year in school, and we fell away from the church. Finally, I returned to the church with my own family and was baptized at thirty-seven years old. I can say that I felt refreshed and lighter after being baptized, but there was no visible tearing of the heavens.
When Jesus was baptized, there was a tearing of the heavens. That is hard for us to imagine. Our minds may think of a science fiction scene that shows the sky being torn. Though it is recorded the Spirit descended like a dove, it does not mean it was in the form of a dove. A dove descends softly, with its wings outspread, and lands softly on the branch. In this case, I imagine the Spirit becoming one with Jesus, perhaps dissolving into Him. The Father speaks. I imagine a commanding, booming voice that declares who Jesus is.
Our baptism may not be as dramatic nor rending the heavens in the same way Jesus’ baptism was. Yet, our baptism does create joy in heaven. We are told the angels in heave rejoice when one lost soul repents and comes to be a follower of Christ (Luke 15:10). Therefore, even if we do not see or hear it, the heavenly host rejoices over us.
I pray we all decide to be followers of Jesus. I pray we know heaven rejoices over us. I pray each one of us who have not been baptized will decide to be baptized to show our commitment to Jesus. Know you are loved by God. Know that heaven rejoices for you. Become a follower of Jesus. God will be well pleased with you.
Mark 1:9-11 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
Marty Pressey 