How many of us are quick to deflect the affirming words of another? Perhaps you have heard or said, “It was nothing at all” several times. But there is a direct correlation between our ability to give to another and what we have received for ourselves. You cannot give away that which you have not received. Imagine what a sight it must have been for the crowds gathered at the Jordan that day seeing Jesus receive the Holy Spirit. What must it have been like to witness the heavens “torn open” (by Mark’s account)?


This scene marks the commissioning of Jesus’ ministry here on earth. It was no coincidence that these deeply affirming words from the Father directly precede His time in the desert plagued by hunger and tempted repeatedly by Satan. We, too, need to receive the love and affirmation of our Father so that we can face the challenges before us with a “full tank” of the only fuel that can sustain us. The love He pours into us is life-giving. Would He say, “It was nothing at all”? No! Because it was, in fact, everything!