Jan. 13, 2008

Baptism of the Lord

The Rev. A. Thomas Carlson

 

Scriptures:     Isaiah 42:1-9

                        Matthew 3:13-17

 

            Kids follow their parents' actions in ways parents least expect.  Take this 11-year-old Baptist minister's son.  One day he decided to baptize his two cats.  (At about that age I conducted a graveside service for a fallen bird.)  This young fellow chose the bathtub for this rite.  One of the cats was a tiny kitten.  It was dunked before it realized what had happened.

 

            The older cat, a mid-sized Tom, wanted no part of this strange ceremony.  As the boy brought the cat down toward the water, it hissed and clawed his arms furiously until finally the boy let go.  The liberated cat scampered across the bathroom with only the back of its head getting a little wet.

 

            As the cat ran from the room, the boy called after it in disgust, "Fine, be a Methodist if you want to!"  In a cute sort of way, this incident could open wide the debate over immersion versus sprinkling and pouring.

 

            But the Gospel for today tells us there is so much more to talk about.  Baptism, regardless of its mode, marks a new beginning.

 

            It marked a new beginning for Jesus and it is meant that to be for us as well.  How does this mark a beginning for Jesus Christ?  Reflect a little with me on the Gospel story (not only from Matthew, but Mark and Luke as well).

 

            We know the background of this scene.  Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by his cousin, John.  John didn't want to do it because he knows Jesus really didn't qualify—John was baptizing for the remission of sins.  Jesus insisted that John go ahead and do it.  Jesus didn't need to experience the rite of baptism for the forgiveness of sins, instead it marked a new phase in His life; the beginning of His ministry.

 

            Let's pick up the story where Matthew writes: "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.  And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.'"

 

            Mark and Luke both record it in similar terms but the voice that is heard by Jesus is even in more personal terms than it is in Matthew's recollection.  It speaks directly to Jesus, saying, "You are my Son, my Beloved, with You I am well pleased."

 

 

            One could say these are powerful words to hear as one enters a new stage in one's life—as one gets ready to set out on a new course.  Jesus begins the first day of the rest of His "earthly" life with this affirmation, this blessing. 
What would have happened if He listened to His cousin, John, and backed away from being baptized?  We can only speculate.  This we can be sure of:  Jesus knew without a doubt that His Father would uphold and support Him in the ministry He was about to begin!

 

            On this Sunday, throughout the church, baptisms are being observed.  In some congregations the practice of renewing baptismal vows is being offered to all.  It is as if we are encouraged to have this "new beginning" at the beginning of a new year!  What are the implications for you and for me?

 

            First, we do not experience baptism as faultless, sinless persons.  We don't have to be reminded of that.  But, we are God's beloved!  We have inherent worth in the sight of God.  We receive God's love, God's grace, God's affirmation when we are baptized, when we profess our faith and are confirmed.  These moments of affirmation can make the difference in our lives when we understand their significance.  It isn't that we've arrived in our Christian walk by being baptized or confirmed.  Instead, the path of faith and faithfulness has been laid out before us and we are encouraged to follow it, knowing that we are not alone!

 

            One successful African-American pastor put it this way:  "I hold a crown above my people's heads, and watch them grow into it."  Repeatedly, I have used the phrase, "Growing in God's way."  Baptism and the renewal of our baptism marks a new and renewed effort in that direction.  God is saying to us:  "You are my beloved, go for it!"

 

            Affirming one's baptismal vows may necessitate some changes in our lives, changes that could be viewed as frightful "first steps."  I discovered that when a mother bird coaxes her offspring from the nest for the first time, she first nudges and if that doesn't work, she pecks at their feet and their talons until the pain of holding on to the branch of the tree hurts so much, they let go.  She knows her offspring have been destined to fly.  There is more security in the sky than on the ground.  A whole world awaits them if they will only let go.  God sometimes does this to His children, too!

 

            Regardless of our age; regardless of our past, when we begin anew with God we are presented new possibilities and new opportunities.  Some seem so "out there."  Are we willing to let go of our insecurities and fears?  Are we ready to try our wings?  Are we willing to grow into that crown God holds above our heads?

 

            My challenge for you and for me, is to seize any opportunity that comes along to live out the meaning of our baptism.  It may come as a simple expression of confidence in your Heavenly Father when your life isn't going as you planned.  It may involve risk taking.

 

            Barbara Brown Taylor tells about a woman and her six-year-old daughter shopping at Wal-Mart.  It was pouring as they left the store to make their way to their car.  So, Mom told the girl to stop and wait with her inside the door until the rain let up.  Then the little girl spoke up and said, "Mom, let's run through the rain." 

 

            "NO," Mom said (she had to say it twice).  But the child persisted.  Mom replied, "We'll get soaked."

 

            "No, we won't Mom.  That's not what you said this morning," the little girl said as she tugged at her mother's arm. 

 

            "This morning?  When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?"

 

            "Don't you remember?" said the child, "When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, "if God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!"

 

            You can imagine how those standing nearby stood in silence—all you could hear was the rain!

 

            Mom paused, thought for a moment and said, "Honey, you're absolutely right.  Let's run through the rain.  If God lets us get wet, well maybe we just need washing."  Then off they ran, while the other shoppers cheered then some even followed!

 

            Perhaps the "washing" they received from God on the way to their car would give them new courage to talk and pray together in facing an uncertain period in their family life.  And, can't you just hear our Creator, Sustainer, and Savior just shout, "these are my beloved, with whom I am pleased."  Amen.