During Advent and Christmas we examined Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus. The first Sunday of the new year we watched as the young parents brought the Child into the temple. There in the temple was an old man, whose name was Simeon. He takes the baby from Mary and cradles him in his own arms. Holding the baby close, he says: “Lord, now let thy servant depart in peace… mine eyes have seen thy salvation.”

Only a few days old and already one has taken him into his heart and claimed his salvation.

From the temple we went to the Jordan where John, the baptizer, is preaching repentance and baptism. Jesus is there to provide the fullness of salvation John preached. He identifies with this new gospel of salvation for all people by being baptized himself. It is the launching of a new age.

Foll…