The need of Jesus to be baptized came out of need to fulfill the Father’s plan. Jesus submits to the baptism of repentance although he was without sin to be obedient to that plan and to show us the way.

The Son submits.

Heavens open.

The Spirit descends.

The Father speaks.

Jesus - Beloved is walking to the desert.

And this is the way.

We want a different way. We want the Spirit and heaven open but we don’t want to submit first. That’s how we over spiritualize life.

So then, first, submit to the good that you know will bring righteousness to your life. Then when Spirit comes, and he will surely come, you will hear God’s voice. You will hear it in your heart. You will feel it in your heart. Because docility and repentance breaks the barriers away, opens up the gates of heaven. You can hear then. And you can see. You will hear that Father loves you. Previously other people told you that but now you will hear it within.

Repentance breaks the silence of heaven. Not because heaven is vindictive and needs your smallness but because you need to prepare the way for Jesus.

And then after repentance, after you hear Father’s voice (because of the Spirit that is within you) and finally you can hear Him, after the baptism of repentance you enter baptism with fire. That’s the part when you walk with Jesus and He starts the deep work within you. In the desert. Where everything is free but not easy.

We confuse free with easy. Forgiveness and salvation granted by Jesus are free but working out our salvation is not easy.

Don’t jump over the first phase to gain the fruit of the next ones. There are no other shortcuts in the Kingdom but loving to the point of abandoning my ways for His ways.

https://stonetoflesh.org/lectio-divina-course-online

You hear strong rain in the background.