Gospel | Mark 1:7-11 (with Nick Locke)

Opening Song:
Who is this Jesus? by Caroline Cobb

Lyrics:
I saw His face shine like the sun
On the mountainside
Elijah and Moses were there
Pale in His glorious light
And a voice came like thunder
And I trembled all over
Said this My beloved child
Who is this Jesus but the Son of God

I saw Him walk on the waves
I saw Him still the storm
I saw the demons afraid
But the children safe in His arms
He said Lazarus rise up wake from your sleep
And his dead heart started to beat
Who is this Jesus but the Son of God

I leaned my head back on His chest
For He was my friend
He poured the wine He broke the bread
It was near the end
I saw them take Him beat Him try to break Him
And hang Him on the cross
They laughed they mocked Him
He said God forgive them
It’s finished now it is done
The sky black as ink the earth shook with grief
As He breathed His last and was gone
Who is this Jesus who is this Jesus
Who is this Jesus but the Son of God
Who is this Jesus but the Son of God

I saw the stone rolled away I saw His empty tomb
I saw the scars in His hands there in the upper room

Passage:
7 He proclaimed, “One who is more powerful than I am is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. 10 As soon as he came up out of the water, he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.”
-- Mark 1:7-11 (CSB)

Musical Reflection:
“Be Thou My Vision,” old Irish folk tune

Reflection Notes:
The hymn commonly known as “Be Thou My Vision” is set to the tune SLANE, which is an old Irish folk tune. It samples both major and minor tonalities, with a perfect balance between the two.

Prayer:
Eternal Father, at the baptism of Jesus you revealed him to be your Son, and your Holy Spirit descended upon him like a dove: Grant that we, who are born again by water and the Spirit, may be faithful as your adopted children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.