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CHILDREN'S EDUCATION |
SERMONS The
First Sunday after the Epiphany: The Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ
By David Christian Today is the first Sunday after the Epiphany. On the Epiphany we remembered the coming of the wise men to worship the infant Jesus. Through the coming of these representatives of the gentile peoples, we celebrated the fact that the Word became flesh not just for the people of Israel alone. The light came into the world so that, along with those kings, we might all behold his glory. Today, this first Sunday after the Epiphany, is the feast of the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. The baptism of Jesus by John marks the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus. It is the start of that three-year chain of events that will lead to the cross and beyond. In Matthew's account of Jesus' baptism we get a suggestion--a hint--of what that ministry will mean, and how it will be played out. Through his baptism the true nature of Jesus is revealed. As he comes up out of the water, God's Spirit descends from heaven to rest upon him. Matthew tells us that a voice from heaven declares: "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." Jesus is shown to be the chosen one of God, the one in whom God delights. But in addition to revealing Jesus' unique relationship with the Father, Jesus' baptism shows how that relationship will be manifested in Jesus' life and ministry. When Jesus first approaches John in order to be baptized, John objects. John recognizes that there is something unique about Jesus and declines to baptize him. But Jesus insists that John continue in order to "fulfill all righteousness;" that is, in order to comply with the Father's wishes. In his submission to the Father's will and to baptism by John, Jesus shows the model of his relationship with the Father and of his own ministry. Through his baptism Jesus accepts the role of servant. His ministry will be a servant ministry, and his Lordship will be revealed through service. Each of us here has also passed through the waters of baptism. It was through those waters that we became a part of this body, the Church. Today, as we recall the baptism of our Lord, we also have occasion to recall our own baptisms, and their meaning. Just as was the case with the baptism of Jesus, our own baptisms revealed who we are. By virtue of our baptisms we were, each one of us, claimed by God as God's sons and daughters. Through baptism we were given a share of the relationship that exists uniquely between the Father and the Son. As the accretion of sin was washed away in those waters, our own deepest nature was revealed. What was revealed was the fact that we were created by God in God's own image, so that we might live in relationship with God. Through Christ we are able to claim that relationship, and to claim our place as members of God's kingdom. You are a child of God and an heir of the kingdom of heaven. That is your identity; that is who you are. In addition to that, in passing through the waters we have been made a part of the Church, the Body of Christ in the world. By virtue of our baptisms we are called to represent Christ to the world. We are called to do this by following the example of Jesus revealed in his own earthly ministry. Just as Christ came as a servant, we are also called to be servants. Just as Christ submitted his will to that of his Father, we also are called to give our wills and our selves over to the Father. We are called to live lives of service--service to our God, and through Christ service to God's creation. This is our vocation, this is why we are here. To serve God in all that we do, wherever we are, at home, at school, at the office. That is a big order, more really than we can handle alone. But we are not alone. For just as the Spirit descended upon Jesus at his baptism, we also have been given God's Spirit to empower us to do God's will. And we have been given the sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ, food for the journey, to nourish us and to strengthen us on our pilgrimage. And we have been given each other, this community of the Chapel of the Cross, for our mutual comfort and support. Remember who you are: the Church, the Body of Christ, beloved sons and daughters of God, heirs of God's kingdom. And go forth in peace to love and serve God's world, empowered by the Holy Spirit, in hope and gratitude and high joy.
Isaiah
42.1-9 |
Chapel
of the Cross · 674 Mannsdale Road · Madison, Mississippi
39110 · (601) 856-2593
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