Matthew 3:13-17

Matthew 3:13-17 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  This baptismal scene sums up so much of Christianity.  Christ has come to us, and while John doesn't quite understand what is happening, Jesus presses forward, and as John is participating in what Christ is doing, the heavens are opened and the presence of God is revealed in the midst, and God's favor is announced.
  I was at an interview yesterday evening with two musicians talking about dissonance -- they were discussing how introducing dissonance can grab the attention of the listener, and the presence of it can help the listener appreciate how the music comes together and emerges through trials.  In the same way, we're in John's shoes -- Christ comes to us, and when we don't understand that, often due to hardship, we're left wondering if we should turn and walk away out of confusion, or engage with what Christ is doing, participating in the actions of the church, waiting to see what Christ can do.
  When we choose to receive what Christ brings, we discover that God is here, God is at work, and that the Lord's ultimate and eternal favor is announced.