Today is Commitment Sunday in the Salvation Army UK, and in the Christian calendar it’s the celebration of the Baptism of Christ. This gives me an opportunity to share one of my favourite paintings (to be found in the National Gallery, London) and a hymn which brings both events together.
Christ, when for us You were baptized,
God’s Spirit on You came,
as peaceful as a dove and yet
as urgent as a flame.
God called you his belovèd Son,
called you his servant too;
his kingdom you were called to preach,
his holy will to do.
Straightway and steadfast until death
you then obeyed his call
freely as Son of Man to serve
and give your life for all.
Baptize us with your Spirit, Lord,
your cross on us be signed,
that, likewise in God’s service, we
may perfect freedom find.
Filed under: Arts, Christian, Paintings, Religion, Salvation Army Tagged: artists, baptism, bible, calendar, churches, commitment, cross, doves, endurance, flames, freedom, god, holy-spirit, hymns, jesus, london, national-gallery, obedience, peace, poetry, preaching, servants, service, sunday, uk, visual-art, writers
