Mark 1:9 – 11 

9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” 

This passage makes me think of two things not usually paired together – a Tim Keller sermon and a pop rock song. 

The song is called ‘Somebody to You’ by The Vamps. The chorus goes, ‘All I wanna be, yeah all I ever wanna be, yeah, yeah, is somebody to you.’ 

It made me think of how our culture has replaced God as the source of our validation as humans, with a romantic partner.  

Tim Keller says that we all have people we look up to, people we idolise, for a variety of reasons. They might be extremely talented or have a high social status. When these people affirm us, it can mean the world to us. 

How much more so can this be with God! He is so much more than the most talented, most ‘cool’ person alive! He is the all-knowing Creator of the Universe! 

And he affirms us in a way no human being can. I’ve heard it said that for every Christian, God says that we are His child, whom he loves, and with us he is well pleased. Despite knowing everything about us. How affirming is that?! 

May we prayerfully reflect on this awesome truth today.  David Lather – Carina