Lent Journey: Week One

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Mark 1:9-15
New International Version


The Baptism and Testing of Jesus

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.”

12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

Jesus Announces the Good News

14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” 

Story 

 

How can one tiny baby produce this much poo? On solids for only two days now and his mother is regretting it. It is a curious fact that when you become a parent you become obsessed with poo. Colour. Consistency. Smell. But it is not surprising when they need changing at least ten times a day, this task becomes the skeleton on which the meat of your day hangs. “At least.” She thinks, “At least, it is bath time.” No need to worry about wiping, let him sit and splash in the warm water. These are the moments she loves, she and her son, beginning to play. He responds so much more these days and he smiles, most of the time. He is splashing and laughing happily, so she turns to the bread warming in the oven. The splashing suddenly gets louder and the laughter turns to tears. “Oh no!” She thinks, turning quickly back to the large slightly cracked bowl where the baby was sitting. Her fears are relieved, he'd only splashed himself in the face and taken him by surprise. Mary gently lifts Jesus from the bath, cuddling him up in a large warm cloth. She sings soothingly to him and he begins to calm down. Mary lets out a relieved sigh and returns to her daily routine, punctuated with feeding mashed vegetables and wiping the bottom of God’s chosen one.






Questions 

  1. What does baptism/Christening mean for you? 
  2. What is the most important to you, Human Jesus or God Jesus? 
  3. Why do you think Jesus felt he needed to be baptised? 
  4. Why do people who have no faith or history of Church going, have their children baptised? 
  5. If John the Baptiser was around today, where would he be, what would he look like/be wearing? 
  6. Who would you expect to see going to him? 
  7. What do you like or dislike about the picture? Does it make you think of anything in particular? 
  8. How does the story link in with the Bible reading? 
  9. Which affects you more the reading, the story or the image? 










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