+ It is not a secret in the world of business that "silent partners" exist. In fact most businesses, large and small have such partners. These are usually the ones who actually carry a lot of weight in the company, but do so behind the scenes – in an almost invisible and oft-times forgotten sort of way. The "front people" – the ones that you see physically are obvious and their words and deeds are out there for the world to see – but they would really have little power to do anything without the silent partners.
Did you ever stop to think that God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are actually "in the business of saving our souls," saving our necks from eternal loss and separation from them. God the Father is the "Idea-Man," God the Son, Jesus, is the "Front-Man – The Man in the Trenches" and God the Holy Spirit is the "Silent Partner." All three of them are required to be fully functional, of their own free will, for the "business to be successful," in order for us to be saved!
It was always God the Father's plan, idea, to save his wayward children after the Original Sin. Jesus volunteered to be the "front-man, the man in the trenches," the man sent by God to accomplish our redemption by a brutal death on a cross. The Holy Spirit promised to be with Jesus every step of the way, helping him in everything he ever thought, said and did as Messiah, Redeemer and Friend of Mankind. When things got rough for Jesus, especially towards the end, it was the Holy Spirit who consoled him and reminded him of how much his Father loved him and how pleased he was with what he was doing for his errant brothers and sisters!
Our readings today tell us quite plainly of such a "spiritual business arrangement!" Having just celebrated the Season of the Father's Gift: Jesus, born in Bethlehem – one day to die in Jerusalem on a mount called Calvary -we now see Jesus coming forth at age thirty ready to "get to work," ready to "do his Father's business" as he announced he would be doing when he was found in the Temple when he was 12 years old. And so he came to the Jordan to be baptized by his cousin John, who was his herald: the one chosen by the Father to literally point to him and tell everyone that he was indeed the long-awaited Messiah: the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world! And after Jesus was baptized the "Silent Partner" showed up in a majestic show of brightness and form (the figure of a dove) – also sent by the Father – to tell all of us that Jesus' Reign and Kingdom would be a spiritual one – and that He would be helping Jesus in everything, in every way! Then the Father himself, the "very loving Idea Man" spoke, in fact thundered regarding Jesus: YOU ARE MY BELOVED SON; WITH YOU I AM WELL PLEASED!
The Family of God Business was now open and operating: and Jesus set out to be what he was prophesied to be: a light for all the nations; one who would open the eyes of the spiritually blind, release those imprisoned by their own selfishness and sinfulness, and bring out from the dungeon of their own making, those who live in the darkness of intellectual stubbornness and blindness.
As we begin a new year of watching the life and ministry of Jesus unfold, may we remember the three partners in this family business who will make it all happen: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit: The Idea Man, The Front Man (The Man in the Trenches), and the Silent Partner! And we must not forget that because of our baptisms we actually are a part of the family business as well – and we get all of the benefits that Jesus and the Spirit have to offer – if we cooperate and do our assigned jobs as salesmen and promoters of this magnificent family business!
Let us be grateful! Let us rejoice! Let us live like we are members of God's family during this new year of grace, especially using the amazing power of that same Silent Partner who was with Jesus every step of the way, The Holy Spirit, who has been gifted to us so we can truly live Christ-like lives!
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