When you think of “sinners” who might be excluded from God’s kingdom, does anyone come to mind? If so, you may be entering dangerous territory. The Pharisees were certain of their own seat at God’s table, convinced that the tax collectors and prostitutes had no such place. But Jesus came precisely for the people the religious crowd wrote off. He welcomes the broken, the fallen, the forgotten with open arms the moment they repent and turn to Him. God’s grace reaches farther than our judgments, and we may be surprised by those who are on heaven’s guest list!

Jesus’ Baptism: Anointed by the Spirit
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Though sinless and in no need of repentance, Jesus insisted on being baptized to identify with us, the broken and guilty. He waded into our mess, not to excuse our sin, but loving us enough to meet us in it. The Holy Spirit descended, anointing Him with divine power for the mission ahead. If the perfect, holy, Son of God refused to function without the Spirit, do we actually think we can? So, the real question is, are you relying on your own strength, or desperately depending on the Holy Spirit? You weren’t made to muscle your way through this life. You were made to walk as Jesus walked: surrendered, empowered, and led by the Spirit.

