Sermon: Baptism of our Lord

St. Stephen Lutheran Church	Pastor Debora Stein
Luke 3:15, 21-22                The Baptism of Our Lord		January 10, 2016

Today, my sermon was inspired by an article written Pastor Robert Gorrell, and an art piece that amazed him, he wrote:

“Last summer my wife and I were visiting Santa Fe, New Mexico, searching for a piece of art to go in the new addition to our church building. We went from shop to shop, experiencing the local art, but as we entered one gallery, I was taken aback by a bronze sculpture created by a respected artist named Gib Singleton.  Singleton’s work appears in the Vatican, the Cowboy Hall of Fame, and he was a favorite artist of Golda Meir, Israel’s prime minister.  A few years ago he even helped restore Michelangelo’s Pietà when vandals damaged it.

The particular piece that stopped me in my tracks was called The Dove. It brings to life that moment when Christ has just been baptized.  A dove has descended and landed on the outstretched hand of the Savior.  What is so compelling about the way the artist represents that moment in Christ’s life?   First, Christ’s arms are outstretched in a manner that seems to be welcoming all. It is as if Jesus stands ready to embrace anyone who is willing to come to him.  Second, Christ’s outstretched arms and his body form a perfect cross.

The artist’s intent is to reveal to us that Jesus’ baptism commissions him to begin a mission on earth that will culminate in the ultimate saving act performed on the cross.  Jesus, the Christ, portrayed by the artist’s sculpture is both welcoming and ready to die for the sins of all.  This welcoming and sacrificial character of Christ is symbolized in the moment of baptism when God’s Spirit descends upon him to empower him for all that lies ahead.  Jesus is baptized into a mission that both welcomes and redeems all sinners.”  (end quote)

Luke tells us that the people were “filled with expectation, and all were and wondering whether John might be the Messiah”.  As sometimes happens, the people are close to mistaking the messenger for the message.  But John the Baptist clears things up by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming, and I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals”.

It is a powerful statement. While John is popular enough to draw a huge crowd of his own, he is honest enough to admit that he is not the main attraction.  While John baptizes with water, the “one who is more powerful” will baptize with something else.  John explains that Jesus will baptize with “the Holy Spirit and with fire”, and it sounds a little frightening, to be touched by God’s Holy Spirit or by fire.  It leaves us with an image of something that could be very painful.  John’s point, however, seems to be that the one who is coming will have an awesome power... power that will be enacted through baptism.

Luke tells us that all the people in the crowd are baptized, including Jesus.  Then, as Jesus is praying, the Holy Spirit comes down to him in the bodily form of a dove.  And, as if that isn’t enough, a voice speaks from heaven, saying, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased”.  This is a moment of incredible power.  It is an event when the Trinity is actually joined together, God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

In that moment, God’s voice affirms three things about Jesus: first... he is God’s Son; second... he is loved by God; and third... God is “well pleased” with him.  In our baptism, through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, God also makes three affirmations about us: we are God’s children; we are loved by God; and God is well pleased with us.  Baptism enables each of us to follow our role in God’s mission, as we, too, are called to welcome all people, serve others, and perhaps even give up our lives in the name of Christ.  Such change in our lives can be painful, at times, as we’re called to give up our old ways to take part in Jesus’ ministry.

“John baptizes Jesus, who comes sinless into the waters, and through his baptism, Jesus is ordained into a ministry of servanthood and sacrifice.  Jesus’ baptism represents both empowerment by the Holy Spirit and affirmation by God.”

In the beginning of Lutheran funeral services, we give thanks for baptism, remembering that as we are baptized in Christ, we are also baptized into his death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of God, we, too, might receive new life.  Through the waters of our baptism, we experience both death and resurrection with Christ. 

At confirmation, youth are asked to affirm their Baptism, which represents for us all, the beginning of a new life in Christ.  It is a call for our young people to actively join the mission of God through the ministry of Jesus.  When folks join our congregation, at St. Stephen, we celebrate and join in as they affirm their baptism... continuing their Christian journey with us... in a ministry of sacrificial servanthood... that culminates when Jesus returns to bring us to the place he’s prepared just for us, where we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Jesus lived out his baptism every day as he taught us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the dying, and share the good news... not only with our friends and neighbors, but with a world that is broken and in dire need.   As a people who bear the name of Christian, Jesus calls us to live out our baptisms in the same way, caring for the needy and sharing the good news. We, too, are baptized into a mission of welcoming and redeeming all sinners – a group, in which we all are members.

Pastor Gorrell also wrote that he’d recently baptized his newborn granddaughter, Allison.  The whole process fascinated her four-year-old cousin, Kelsey, who asked her preacher grandpa all kinds of questions about the mechanics of baptism.  In the middle of the sacrament, Kelsey turned to her grandfather and said, “More, Papa, more!” Somehow, Kelsey understood that this was a moment of great power and affirmation, and she wanted to make sure that her cousin, Allison, got a full dose.

On this day, we remember that Jesus, who was without sin, identified with us through his baptism and his humanity, through his suffering, death, and resurrection.  And on this day, we can’t help, but remember our own baptism, and that through it we, too, are loved, blessed and affirmed by God... not just as followers, but as Disciples of Christ.  Through baptism, we are commissioned into Christ’s ministry, to serve and love all people, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

The Prophet Isaiah reminds us that we are precious to the Lord... who loves and affirms us, with the words, “I have called you by name and you are mine”... Each of you are God’s beloved sons and daughters... sisters and brothers of Jesus...                     Fed and nourished... baptized and set free... blessed and claimed by Christ forever. 

May we all share the enthusiasm of Pastor Gorrell’s little granddaughter, Kelsey, for baptism and for our call to God’s mission of love and grace through Jesus Christ.

Amen.