The podcast delves into the profound significance of Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River, as recounted in the Gospel of Matthew. This pivotal moment is marked by Jesus' insistence on being baptized by John, a request that initially meets with John’s reluctance. The dialogue reveals an essential theme of solidarity, as Jesus chooses to immerse himself within the human experience rather than asserting superiority. This act of solidarity is presented not merely as a ritualistic observance but as an embodiment of allyship, demonstrating the importance of standing with marginalized communities and engaging in transformative social justice work. The discussion further emphasizes that the divine voice affirming Jesus as 'beloved' precedes any performance or miraculous deed, thereby challenging conventional notions of worthiness and belonging within religious contexts. The episode encourages listeners to embrace their inherent belovedness and to extend this recognition to others in their lives, fostering a sense of community and mutual support. As the episode progresses, practical action steps are proposed, urging individuals to engage in acts of kindness and solidarity in their daily interactions. Ultimately, the podcast serves as a reminder of the call to live out one's faith through compassionate action, embodying the values of love and justice in everyday life.

Takeaways:

1. The significance of Jesus' baptism lies in his choice to stand in solidarity with humanity, demonstrating that he embodies the essence of human experience.
2. Belovedness precedes any form of performance, illustrating that divine love is unconditional and not contingent upon one's deeds or actions.
3. Baptism should be understood as a communal ritual aimed at enacting justice and fostering societal repair, rather than merely an individualistic spiritual experience.
4. The practice of solidarity requires tangible actions that support and uplift those who are marginalized in our communities, emphasizing the importance of embodied allyship.
5. Daily affirmations of one's belovedness can serve as a powerful reminder of divine love, encouraging individuals to extend that love to others through acts of kindness.
6. Engaging in small, concrete acts of solidarity can significantly impact the lives of those in need, reinforcing the idea that everyone is worthy of care and support.

Links referenced in this episode:

1. voiceofgoddaily.com

The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).

He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.

Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.

He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)

The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...

1. Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
2. Relatable: You will have a couple of "points to ponder" from the text which will relate to your life
3. Applicable: Every episode includes a way you can take action based on the reading
4. A recommended resource to help you go deeper in biblical study and spiritual direction.
5. A prayer for your day.

A companion resource to the Voice of God Daily Podcast is the “ABC Bible Study Guide” available by clicking HERE.

The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available every day at VoiceofGodDaily.com on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast directories.

You can help Dr. Brad attain his goal of getting a bit of the bible into two million ears by subscribing to "Daily Bible Refresh" on Apple Podcasts, leaving a five-star rating, and writing a review. More importantly please share with your network of family and friends about the "Daily Bible Refresh".

Please make listening to the "Daily Bible Refresh" a part of your daily life.

Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)

Hello, my friend Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.

This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.

In a bit I will read the New Testament lessons selected from the Revised Common Lectionary for this very day.

The reading is understandable.

I use the message version relatable.

Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable with action steps you can take.

We pray and are done in less than 10 minutes.

It's all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com which is the home of your free personal Bible study guide, the ABC123 Bible Study Method.

You can help by saving and subscribing to the podcast and tagging your friends.

Here's today's reading.

He wanted John to baptize him and John objected.

I'm the one who needs to be baptized, not you.

But Jesus insisted, do it.

God's work putting things right.

All these centuries coming together right now in this baptism.

So John did it.

The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God's Spirit and looked like a dove descending and landing on him along with the Spirit of voice.

This is my son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life.

What an incredible scripture.

That ends the reading.

And we're going to talk today about this incredible passage of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist.

And John objects, as you heard there, he says, I'm the one who needs to be baptized, not you.

But Jesus is insistent, saying, do it.

It's God's work putting things right.

And then it talks about the Holy Spirit descending like a dove and the voice coming, this is my son, the delight of my life.

Wow, what power.

Let's get into some points to ponder.

The first one is that Jesus chooses solidarity over superiority.

He doesn't stand apart, he stands in the water with us.

Progressive faith hears Jesus say, put things right through embodied allyship, showing up with those on the margins and inside systems that need repair.

In my weekly podcast for folks impacted by cancer, this looks like being very practical.

Meals, rides, humor to help carry the day.

Solidarity isn't a slogan.

It's the water we wade through together.

Another point to ponder is belovedness comes before performance.

Says here the voice, the voice of love arrives before any miracles or sermons, says marked by my love, the delight of my life.

Wow.

Progressive faith resists shame based religion and expands belonging to everybody.

Every story, every identity is held in divine delight.

I'm a grandfather of two really giggling wonderful granddaughters who still laugh at my jokes and like to pull on my beard and and I want them and every I want them to know and everybody know, every neighbor to know that they're beloved without earning it.

One more point to ponder.

Baptism is public embodied justice work powered by a gentle spirit.

Jesus says this moment is about putting things right.

So baptism isn't escapist spirituality.

It's a community ritual that launches repair, health care, access, creation care, fair housing, safer streets, spirit shaped public good and teamwork together thriving.

In other words, it's all called together.

Here in this baptism narrative, let's talk about an action step.

Belovedness to solidarity, be to be, we might call it.

In the morning, speak one sentence to yourself before I do anything.

Today I am beloved.

Breathe it in.

Know that you are loved.

And then later in the day, in the afternoon or evening, do some concrete act of solidarity for somebody else.

Text somebody else.

Ask somebody how you can be helpful to them.

Bring a meal to somebody.

Be a caregiver to somebody.

Help clean up a park.

Email your representatives about some injustice.

Keep it small, specific and kind.

We're going to come back and have a prayer here in just a moment, but before we do, I want to let you know we do have a resource for you.

It's called the ABC123 Bible Study Method.

Head over to our website voiceofgodddaily.com it's free to you there.

Let's pray.

God of open skies and river waters, remind us that we are beloved before we perform, produce or prove.

Teach us Jesus ways of solidarity, standing with our neighbors, protecting the vulnerable adjoining your work of putting things right in our city.

Let the Spirit land gently on our everyday lives in hospital rooms and living rooms, in sidewalks and trails, at courtsides and kitchen tables.

Be close to those who are navigating illness and treatments on those long dark nights.

And let hope arrive in practical matters, in meals or rides or messages or humor.

And when laughter comes, let us delight in it just like you delight in us.

Let it be a signal that your delight is near.

Amen.

My friend, I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.

The daily Bible refresh is completely listener supported.

I would be so grateful if you would go to voiceofgoddaily.com and share your gift of any amount.

Thanks much.

My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your daily Bible refresh.

Please subscribe and tag your friends until tomorrow.

Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.

His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.