Then comes the suffering...

...my beloved Son...

In the Christian Russian Orthodox tradition, Epiphany is celebrated on January 19th. It is also known as Jesus' Baptism Day and faithful Russians celebrate this by cutting holes in the ice of lakes and waterways and take the plunge in commemoration of Jesus' initial immersion in the Jordan.

It is best when the water is blessed by a Russian Orthodox priest and considered by believers as beneficial to drink for good health during the next 365 days.

In our passages from the book of Matthew, chapter three, we look at the baptism of Jesus and the blessing that is bestowed on him by the Father's words, "in whom I am well pleased."  But immediately following these words, Jesus is led into temptation. Suffering follows joy. As human, Jesus experienced the valleys along with the heights. He stood on the Mount of Transfiguration. When he entered Jerusalem, the people cried out praises to him. But by week's end he was crying out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

What does Jesus' experience tells us about our own expectations versus our experiences?

Matthew 3:13-17
3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.

3:14 John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"

3:15 But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented.

3:16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.

3:17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."

Walter Morton for Journey Across the Line