Jesus set a standard of ethical agape love – loving God and extending love to neighbor and enemy alike. We hear the love of God spoken at Jesus’ baptism, and he puts self-giving love into action in his life and ministry. We share in his ministry through baptism. Baptism isn’t solely about cleansing us from sin. Baptism is about initiation into community with God and one another, calling us to love that expands our boundaries and transforms the world. To follow Jesus is to incarnate radical love.

This is the second week in the series, “The Nine Key Teachings of Jesus.” Today’s message is based on Isaiah 42: 1-9 and Matthew 3: 13-17.

In this season of Epiphany, you are invited to take a “star word,” a paper shaped printed with a word and let that word guide you in 2026. What is your word?