Beloved Brokenness

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Here is that pesky Spirit popping up again. In Luke's version of Jesus' baptism, John - who had just preached a sermon calling people "You brood of Vipers" (there is a way to win friends and influence people)...and then challenged people that the inner transformation of God's beloved-ness called for an outward manifestation in sharing/economy/relationship - that John is locked up in prison. This is such a great reminder that the Gospel and grace doesn't guarantee an easy life. One of my favorite quotes goes, "If you were in court on the charge of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" That stops me cold every day. But this beloved-ness isn'