1 John 5:5-13 / Mark 1:6-11
The world sees power as something that is the quick solution to many problems.
Power is used to resolve conflicts, to gain control, to suppress and also to oppress.
Power is might, and in situations where might is right, then power is used without question.
But instead of being a solution, it has actually created many problems.
In the gospel, John the Baptist talks about Jesus who is coming after him, and who is more powerful that he is.
John the Baptist baptizes with water, but Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is the power of God, but it is not that kind of power that the world desires.
It is the power of love that the world cannot quite understand.
That power of love is seen on the Cross where Jesus conquered sin and evil.
Jesus overcame the power of the sin of the world with the power of love on the Cross.
When we have recourse to the power of love as seen on the Cross, then God’s favour will also rest on us.