Loading...The Baptism of Jesus: this is a tricky subject. What? Why would Jesus need to be baptized? Many people of faith, and preachers, and the Gospel writers have all asked those questions.
Why WOULD Jesus need to be baptized? After all, isn’t he supposed to be the one without sin?
All four of the Gospels record the story, but differently (in fact, John’s Gospel just references it as John the Baptizer tells about when he baptized Jesus). The other three Gospels – Matthew, Mark, and Luke – basically have the same story but emphasize different parts of it (with their varied “theological axes to grind”).
All four of the Gospels let it be know through their language and dialogue that they are uncomfortable with the whole idea of Jesus being baptized.
After all, John was in the River Jordan offering a baptism for the repentance of sins. So WHY would Jesus come down for that baptism? He’s the one – the only one – who has no sin!
And, I suspect most of us think about baptism in this way:
Baptism is about the forgiveness of sins and the washing away of our sin. Baptism is about our repentance, or turning back, to God.
Full stop.
But, Jesus, by going down to John at the River Jordan for his own baptism
turned this all around.
Jesus didn’t need the baptism of repentance, but by being baptized
he changed up what baptism was about.
Not about (at least not for him; and for us, not only about) forgiveness;
but about sending into mission and action,
an “inauguration” of sorts
a commissioning for duty
a consecration for service
a launching into the world!
This is what Jesus’ baptism is for him.
After this event in the Gospels, Jesus is tempted (and overcomes temptation) and the he STARTS!
He starts acting and doing!
He preaches Good News
He heals the sick: the blind see, the lame walk
He sets prisoners free.
He welcomes all people: outcasts, rejected, lost, ignored, & more
He is filled with the Spirit – the Spirit that came down on him in the river –
and he’s using it! He’s sharing it everywhere he goes.
Jesus is not just talking about the peace from God –
the peace that passes all understanding –
he is being the peace of God.
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Our Acts text today is a small portion of the much larger story found in chapter 10. It is one of my favorite stories in the Bible (read it later today!).
This story is the story of the conversion of the Roman military leader named Cornelius to become a follower of Jesus (what we would call a Christian even though that wasn’t the term used yet in those days).
It is also the story of the conversion of Peter, a good and faithful Jew who was a follower – THE follower – of Jesus.
In this portion of the story that is our reading for today, we hear Peter declare to Cornelius (and all who would listen) the WORK of Jesus, and who Jesus is: he is God’s peace in his very life, in his words, in his actions.
Jesus changes everything!
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In his baptism, Jesus changed what baptism is all about.
For all of us.
For you.
For Rose, later this morning, in her baptism.
Baptism is not just about forgiveness of sins (if we stopped there, we’d all be stuck. We would be missing out on the Good News of Jesus).
Yes, baptism includes forgiveness; but not just that!
You are claimed by God! Adopted as one of God’s own beloved children!
You are commissioned, inaugurated, consecrated, and sent!
We have a job to do as God’s beloved people who are
forgiven, claimed, and empowered.
In our baptismal Covenant (which you can find in today’s bulletin on page 17, or in the Book of Common Prayer on pages 304 and 305), these questions are asked of all of us, not just of the candidate:
In whom do you believe; in whom do you trust?
What’s your intention for action
in worship,
in repentance (turning back to God)
in resisting evil
in proclaiming the Good News
in serving Christ in others
in striving for justice and peace, and
in respecting the dignity of every human being?
These are not questions just to get through hoping that the baby won’t cry.
These are not questions just for the candidate and/or the sponsors and parents.
We are ALL asked and we ALL answer:
what is your baptism about?
how has your baptism changed you?
how does it continue to change you?
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On this day, hear this said to you:
the peace that passes all understanding
(not simply the lack of conflict,
but the healing restoration of God’s world)
is Good News of God’s salvation and hope for you.
This peace is saving grace for you.
You are claimed again (and again, and again. As many times as you need reminding).
You are empowered by the gifts of the Spirit.
You are nourished by the Bread of Life at this Table.
And you are sent to do the things of peace-making
as we witness and experience Jesus’
welcome to all people and love for all people, including you. Amen
