Jan 13, 2013 Baptism of Our Lord Sunday

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

  15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. 16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with, water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
  21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

"Jesus Baptism"

Jesus baptism was a means of identification; his credentials if you please.
It was clear what God said, “This is my beloved Son in whom i am well pleased.”  Yet Jesus continued throughout his life to have an identify problem.  Because he wasn’t who they expected the Messiah to be.

Our expectations do have a way of getting in the way of our seeing, believing and trusting.

God goes beyond our expectations, and only as we dare to go beyond too, will we be able to see, believe and trust in what God has done for us through an unexpected Baby in Bethlehem.

"With You I Am Well Pleased”

Jesus baptism was a powerful moment for him.  He needed this moment, this experience, this voice, this assurance to even dare begin to walk this earth as the Son of God, the servant of God.

There was struggle for Jesus in knowing his divine call.  For he is going to have to walk as a stranger among his own kin and an outside among his own people.  He will be hated, despised, rejected, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.  Yet as one in whom God delights.  He is to bring a new brand of justice which is directed by compassion.

Regarding this justice, Rabbi Abraham Heschel in “The Prophets” makes this bold statement.
“There is a point at which strict justice is unjust.”  Then speaking of biblical justice he says, “Justice was not equal justice, but a bias in favor of the poor...for beyond all justice is God’s compassion.”  
“A father is disqualified to serve as a judge.  Yet the judge of all (people) is also their Father.  He would be unjust to His own nature where He to act in justice without being compassionate.”

Jesus baptism set him apart for servanthood.  And so does ours!  To ‘walk wet’ means we cannot be indifferent to injustice and must bring mercy, compassion and kindness into our world through who and how we are.

It was no small thing for Jesus to be baptized.  It is no small thing for us either!  It does not mark us as God’s favorites; it does commission us as God’s servants!