Letter from Greg, January 17, 2026
Matthew 3:13-17 (NIV)
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Dear Friends, Members and Guests
Water is life. Jesus said that unlike regular water—even if drawn from a good and steady well—the water he could provide would rise up as a spring inside of a person. The net result would be they would never thirst again. That's deep stuff… A living spring or well. A forever satiation.
And of course there are so many other stories of water: floods, fish, oceans and seas, rivers and streams… floating axeheads, and bitter waters made sweet with hyssop. Rich in symbolism, water is also used for ritual purposes like cleansing. But the water ritual of today’s text speaks of baptism—specifically Jesus’ baptism. A ritual act in which he accomplished myriad things. And a ritual act in which we participate yet today.
It would not surprise me if after today's message, you think of water in ways that are ultimately transformative... Water cleanses, water hydrates, water sustains, we're born first of water. Water is the ritualistic vehicle for transformation available still. It's safe. It's gentle. And it can be a meaningful part of your journey.
Grace and Peace,
Pr Greg