January
13, 2013
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Today, we’re talking
about baptism, and I am delighted that we also get to baptize G today. I’ll
start by asking you a question. Who baptized Jesus? …
The way Luke tells the
story, John is baptizing people; he gets arrested; then we learn that Jesus was
baptized. The text doesn’t actually say that John did the baptizing, but we
assume that’s what happened, based on the other gospels. And, no one else was
doing it.
Another question: After
Jesus was baptized, he was praying. What do you suppose he was praying about? …
In our class, we
thought he was praying that he would be able to do what he was sent to do. We also
thought he was praying for the people – for us.
It makes sense to us
that Jesus would pray for himself. His life, his ministry, his teaching, his
death: he wanted to be obedient to God; he wanted to stick to the plan, and it
took a lot of prayer.
In praying for us,
we’re sure he prayed that people would accept him, that they would see the love
and forgiveness of God in what he was doing. We’re sure he prayed that people would change
from a focus on doing the right thing in the right way to a focus on enjoying a
loving, forgiving relationship with God.
In answer to his
prayer, the Holy Spirit descended on him, and a voice came from heaven. “You
are my Son. I love you very much. You make me very happy.” The human Jesus
needed the reassurance of the presence of God through the Holy Spirit, and that
he was doing the right thing.
Isn’t that what we all
need? We all want to hear, “You are my child. I love you very much. You make me
very happy. What you are doing pleases me.” We have that reassurance in our own
baptisms. Any time we wonder if God knows what we are going through; when we
wonder if we are doing the right thing; when we wonder if God loves us; we only
need to remember that we are baptized.
Throughout his life, G
will be able to remember that he is God’s child, that he walks in God’s
presence, and that he is doing the right thing. I hope that G will also
remember that Jesus prays for him, as he prayed for all of us, as he prayed for
himself at the time of his baptism.
Jesus was baptized by
John, but really by the Holy Spirit. When we are baptized, although it is our
parents and sponsors who present us for baptism, and the pastor who says the
words and pours the water on our heads, it is God who is the actor in the
event.
When we are baptized
as infants, it is our parents and sponsors who make the promises. When anyone
is baptized in the congregation, we all make promises to God to help the one
who is baptized grow in faith, be present in worship, be able to read the
scriptures, learn the basics of the faith.
The Holy Spirit works
through parents and sponsors and members of the congregation to help each other
grow in faith. It is the Holy Spirit who helps us learn to love and serve
others. It is the Holy Spirit who helps us learn to trust God, even when we’d
rather trust ourselves. It is the Holy Spirit who helps us remember that
everything we have and everything we are comes from God.
Remember you are
baptized.
Each week, as you
enter and leave worship, dip your finger in the water in the font and make the
sign of the cross on your body or forehead, and remember you are baptized.
Remember you are
baptized whenever you shower or bathe and feel the water washing over your
body.
Remember you are baptized
when you confess your sins and receive forgiveness for them.
Remember you are baptized
when you plan your budget and when you put your offering in the plate.
Remember you are
baptized when you share a meal, a hug, a kind word, a loaf of bread or jar of
peanut butter.
Remember, we are God’s
beloved children; God is present with us at all times through the Holy Spirit; and
God loves us and is pleased with us.
Remember, we are
baptized and Jesus prays for us.
Please pray with me. Lord
Jesus, help us to remember. Help us to remember that we are baptized and we
belong to you and you love us. Help us to remember you pray for us. Help us to
remember, and be more like you each day. Amen
