Baptism of Our Lord: Filled with Expectation

Devotional for the week of January 12, 2025.

At the beginning of the Epiphany season, we encounter John the baptizer, serving people who are filled with expectation. Curiosity is the birthplace of expectation. Many people were curious about whether John might be the expected messiah. They were hopeful that the dreams of their people were about to be fulfilled by this strange and solitary prophet.

Sometimes we are exuberant when our expectations are fulfilled. We know this feeling when a new baby is born, a family member graduates from college or attains a new job, or a summer vacation is around the corner. Other times, we are devastated by unfulfilled expectations—when a loved one dies in hospice, a pink slip is given at work, or a house is foreclosed.

Expectation can lead to great happiness or to depression. John’s followers’ expectations were correct but misplaced. John redirected their hopes to Jesus, who would baptize them with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

In what ways can we joyfully expect God’s good work in our own lives? Have we put our hope in people or things guaranteed to disappoint us? How might life be different if we put all our hope for the future in the good plan of God?

At Jesus’ baptism, the heavens opened and a dove descended. Then God spoke these life-changing and transformative words: “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22).

When we were baptized, God spoke words like these over us as well. As creations made in God’s own image, we are innately beloved and pleasing to God. May this truth change how we navigate through the world and fill us with joyful expectation for God’s good plan to come.