Sermon 1/11/04
Down by the Riverside - Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, Isaiah 43:1-7
(view lectionary notes for this text)
Today we make the transition - out of the Christmas-related holiday texts and jumpu right to the beginning of Jesus' ministry. We read today about the baptism of Christ in the Jordan River. During Advent, we heard the beginning of this story, when we read about John the Baptist sharing with people how they should live in expectation of the new baptism, the baptism of Holy Spirit and fire, that they could expect when the Messiah came to them. This scene concludes in our reading today, by shifting the focus from John to Jesus, as John baptizes Jesus and the spirit descends on Christ in the form of a dove.
Most people consider this event the start of Jesus' real ministry on earth - his baptism, because of several factors. First, he is recognized and named by John, the Messenger and Preparer, as the one he's been waiting for. Second, the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus in the form described as like a dove. Third, God's voice comes from heaven, speaking to Jesus, saying, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." All of these events mark Jesus' baptism as standout, as a special beginning of something new in his life and in the world. Significantly, this event is one of few that is recorded in all four of the gospels - it is important, and we're not meant to miss it.
Jesus' baptism is a fascinating and inspiring event. Today, those who visit the region often flock to the Jordan River to witness with their own eyes the place Christ was baptized, to be baptized themselves in that same body of water. I don't blame them for their fascination - you can almost picture this event - John's amazement that Jesus would come to him for this special task. The curious onlookers, not yet having any idea who Jesus was, or why John had this bond with him. Jesus himself, ready after years of waiting, preparing, to step into the role God had chosen for him. With John, we might indeed wonder why Jesus needed to baptized at all. In the United Methodist Church we understand that baptism is a cleansing process - a way of being made right with God, and also a sign of God's outpouring of love and grace upon us - we declare in baptism that we know that God loves us already and always. Did Jesus need or seek affirmation of these things for himself? Did he feel he needed cleansing? Affirmation of God's love?
Whatever Jesus wondered, we know that he did indeed get a most powerful affirmation of God's love for Jesus, God's plan for Jesus. We read that heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on Christ like a dove, and that God spoke aloud to Jesus, saying, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
Perhaps one of my first responses to reading this passage was jealousy. I find myself jealous of this interaction between Jesus and God. As Christians, we are always striving to find God's path, always struggling with doubts and obstacles, wondering if God is really there, really caring about the choices we are making, looking for some sign from above, some words of affirmation. Perhaps we might all wish for the heavens to part and for a dove to descend and for God to declare in front of all that we are pleasing and beloved in God's sight. Wouldn't that be nice? Surely, if we had that kind of affirmation directly, undoubtedly, clearly from God, we could settle into the tasks God lays out for us and get to work. But it doesn't usually work quite that way for us, does it?
And so I walk away from this passage of Jesus' baptism wondering, how does it work for us? How can we know God loves us? How can we know that God is pleased with us? That we are on the right path? That it is time for us to begin our ministry in earnest, holding nothing back?
Perhaps, though, you have had some scenes in your life where you knew which path to take, even if they didn't take the shape of Jesus' baptism. Perhaps there was a moment when you finally figured out what you wanted to do when you grew up. Perhaps you knew whether to choose this career, or that. Perhaps you figured out whether or not you were meant to chair that committee, or join that organization. Have you felt God's blessings in your life? Have you felt God's approval?
In my own life, I've been blessed enough to find myself in a path which is mark with such celebrations that draw on the celebration of Jesus' baptism described here. Many of you know that I am still in the probationary stage of being a pastor, a three year period before I am able to be ordained as an elder in the United Methodist Church. But before I reach that momentous and long-awaited event, I have had abundant opportunities to lift up and celebrate God's call in my life. I had to declare my candidacy for ministry before my home congregation, in the midst of a special worship service early in my process. Later, I had to become a certified candidate, after meeting with district committees and being examined on my beliefs. I had to attend and complete seminary, an event marked by graduation and special worship services in that community of faith. And most recently, I was commissioned as a probationary member, a beautiful event with friends, family, and church members from around our conference there to witness my transition to the pastorate. I have been blessed with these opportunities to say to God, "I'm trying to follow your call - please, pour your blessing upon my work."
However, I didn't always want to be a minister, as I revealed in children's time a couple weeks ago. I had other dreams, other plans for my life. But God's plans were already in place. Before I was willing to hear it, there were signs in my life that this was my path. There were people asking if I'd though about ministry. There was my mother, suggesting seminary, at least "just to get the degree" since it would be "useful" if I chose other kinds of ministry. There were signs, outpourings of God's plans. I just hadn't listened yet.
Jesus' act of letting John baptize him was in part an act of humility. True, Jesus may not have needed cleansing like others did. He may have already known God's plan for his life. He may have felt totally God's love for him. But he still humbled himself, submitted himself to this act of baptism, as a way of acknowledging that he would do as God was calling him to do, that he was about to embark on the path that God had set for him. Jesus said, through his baptism, that he was ready, and God answered in joy and love.
Look over your own life. Perhaps God has already been working in you and opening the heavens over you - you've just not been ready to look yet. Think about the things that people have asked you to do, the opportunities that have come your way. God is laying out a path for you, too. There are signs all around you. Can you submit yourself, like Christ, to embark on this journey?
While we're figuring out where God is calling us next, though, we need not worry. For we've already been given signs as powerful as the dove descending on Christ in the Jordan. In Isaiah we hear these words from God, who created and formed us, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine." We are God's children, named as precious and beloved. When we're ready to believe that God already loves us, that God's already prepared to part the heavens to get our attention, that God's Holy Spirit is already working and moving among us, perhaps we'll be ready to step into action, step into ministry, and step into path, side by side with Christ, and follow where God is leading. Amen.