Sermon on Matthew 3:13-end; Isaiah 42:1-9; Acts 10:34-43 Baptism of Christ
By Revd Gordon Thomas
WHY BAPTISM?
Matthew 3:13-end
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15 But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." [NRSV]
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15 But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." [NRSV]
Isaiah 42:1-9
1 Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. 2 He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; 3 a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. 4 He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching. 5 Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: 6 I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, 7 to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. 8 I am the LORD, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. 9 See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them. [NRSV]
1 Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. 2 He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; 3 a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. 4 He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching. 5 Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: 6 I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, 7 to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. 8 I am the LORD, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. 9 See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them. [NRSV]
Acts 10:34-43
34 Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ-- he is Lord of all. 37 That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40 but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." [NRSV]
34 Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ-
WHO'S BLESSING WHO?
Visiting Israel and Palestine with Bishop John Gladwin a few years ago, we went to a village called Ibillin in Northern Galilee and met an astonishing priest, Elias Chacour an Arab, Palestinian, Israeli Christian. Father Elias spent his life founding a school and then university for Arab and Jewish: Christian, Jewish and Muslim children against incredibly harsh opposition from the government authorities. And this after losing his home and village in 1948 when the state of Israel was established. He could have been cynical and bitter. But he wasn't. He was full of love and peace; joy and fun, as he worked for forgiveness and reconciliation in his country, where Jesus once walked.
As we were leaving Bishop John asked Elias to say a prayer of blessing. Oh no Bishop he protested you must bless me. No please bless us Bishop John begged. And finally he did, and as we sat at his feet, many in tears, it was clear that this wonderful, humble man felt something wasn't quite right. Bishops blessed ordinary priests like him. But our Bishop wanted to sit at his feet.
Perhaps it's a bit like that for John as he baptises Jesus. It's an odd picture. John has prepared people for someone who is more powerful than himself whose sandals John is not worthy to carry. This someone who John says will baptise with the Holy Spirit and fire; and will destroy what is no use, we know is Jesus. John paints an awesome not to say frightening picture, yet here is Jesus baptised after all the others, according to Luke; perhaps waiting patiently until his turn. It doesn't sound very awesome. At John's baptisms, people repent. But what's Jesus got to confess? He doesn't need to be washed clean. He doesn't need to be baptised by John. I'm not surprised John is thrown.
SO WHAT'S THE POINT?
But the scene is described in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke and, in John, indirectly. It must be crucial for that we to understand this moment. Right at the start of his ministry Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptised by him. Their conversation is the first time Jesus speaks in this gospel. This I think is the moment of change. This is when the age of the prophets who point to Jesus is about to end. Which is why Jesus accepts John's baptism for now. Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness Jesus answers his cousin's doubts. And then he is baptised.
In this intimate scene Matthew paints the fullness of Jesus's life. Jesus accepts his Father's call to identify with humanity in all our sin. He willingly chooses the way that we must go if we are to find salvation: to have our sins washed away. And when he does, he receives the words from God: this is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased. As Jesus steps out of the water, with those wondrous words of love and affirmation ringing in his ears he takes the way foretold by Isaiah today. And we realise that Isaiah's suffering servant is revealed in Jesus himself. And we see it first at his baptism. Jesus's baptism is, as it were, when he takes the baton from John. John's baptism is now redundant. The for now has ended: Jesus will be tested by evil and then his ministry starts, and he calls his first followers. And in three years people will be baptised in Jesus: still through water but also the Spirit.
OUR BAPTISM
This is one of the key moments in the gospel story just as our own baptism is a key moment in our story. This is the moment of change whether we know it or not, as we pass from the old life of sin to the new creation of Jesus Christ. John thinks he is unworthy to baptise Jesus: he needs to be baptised by him. Jesus doesn't disagree. He is the one who John has been preparing the people for; he is the one Isaiah and the other prophets looked for hundreds of years before; he is the one who will bring God's judgement on evil and injustice. But he will do it by humbling himself and fully entering into our experience, even our need for forgiveness; finally to die for us so that we might have life in all its fullness.
And Matthew, as he paints the pictures in this scene: Jesus's obedience as he comes to John; his death as he enters the water; his resurrection as he comes up out of it; his ascension as the heavens are opened to him; and the encouraging, comforting, judging Pentecost Spirit of God in the picture of a dove, Matthew says see the whole Jesus in his baptism and follow him not just at Christmas but always. Then you will understand him; then you will see what he freely offers you; then you will gladly accept his call to you. Then you will hear the words of God: this is my son; this is my daughter with whom I am well pleased.
Let us experience this wonderful joy together with Jesus through this year.
AMEN
Visiting Israel and Palestine with Bishop John Gladwin a few years ago, we went to a village called Ibillin in Northern Galilee and met an astonishing priest, Elias Chacour an Arab, Palestinian, Israeli Christian. Father Elias spent his life founding a school and then university for Arab and Jewish: Christian, Jewish and Muslim children against incredibly harsh opposition from the government authorities. And this after losing his home and village in 1948 when the state of Israel was established. He could have been cynical and bitter. But he wasn't. He was full of love and peace; joy and fun, as he worked for forgiveness and reconciliation in his country, where Jesus once walked.
As we were leaving Bishop John asked Elias to say a prayer of blessing. Oh no Bishop he protested you must bless me. No please bless us Bishop John begged. And finally he did, and as we sat at his feet, many in tears, it was clear that this wonderful, humble man felt something wasn't quite right. Bishops blessed ordinary priests like him. But our Bishop wanted to sit at his feet.
Perhaps it's a bit like that for John as he baptises Jesus. It's an odd picture. John has prepared people for someone who is more powerful than himself whose sandals John is not worthy to carry. This someone who John says will baptise with the Holy Spirit and fire; and will destroy what is no use, we know is Jesus. John paints an awesome not to say frightening picture, yet here is Jesus baptised after all the others, according to Luke; perhaps waiting patiently until his turn. It doesn't sound very awesome. At John's baptisms, people repent. But what's Jesus got to confess? He doesn't need to be washed clean. He doesn't need to be baptised by John. I'm not surprised John is thrown.
SO WHAT'S THE POINT?
But the scene is described in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke and, in John, indirectly. It must be crucial for that we to understand this moment. Right at the start of his ministry Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptised by him. Their conversation is the first time Jesus speaks in this gospel. This I think is the moment of change. This is when the age of the prophets who point to Jesus is about to end. Which is why Jesus accepts John's baptism for now. Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness Jesus answers his cousin's doubts. And then he is baptised.
In this intimate scene Matthew paints the fullness of Jesus's life. Jesus accepts his Father's call to identify with humanity in all our sin. He willingly chooses the way that we must go if we are to find salvation: to have our sins washed away. And when he does, he receives the words from God: this is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased. As Jesus steps out of the water, with those wondrous words of love and affirmation ringing in his ears he takes the way foretold by Isaiah today. And we realise that Isaiah's suffering servant is revealed in Jesus himself. And we see it first at his baptism. Jesus's baptism is, as it were, when he takes the baton from John. John's baptism is now redundant. The for now has ended: Jesus will be tested by evil and then his ministry starts, and he calls his first followers. And in three years people will be baptised in Jesus: still through water but also the Spirit.
OUR BAPTISM
This is one of the key moments in the gospel story just as our own baptism is a key moment in our story. This is the moment of change whether we know it or not, as we pass from the old life of sin to the new creation of Jesus Christ. John thinks he is unworthy to baptise Jesus: he needs to be baptised by him. Jesus doesn't disagree. He is the one who John has been preparing the people for; he is the one Isaiah and the other prophets looked for hundreds of years before; he is the one who will bring God's judgement on evil and injustice. But he will do it by humbling himself and fully entering into our experience, even our need for forgiveness; finally to die for us so that we might have life in all its fullness.
And Matthew, as he paints the pictures in this scene: Jesus's obedience as he comes to John; his death as he enters the water; his resurrection as he comes up out of it; his ascension as the heavens are opened to him; and the encouraging, comforting, judging Pentecost Spirit of God in the picture of a dove, Matthew says see the whole Jesus in his baptism and follow him not just at Christmas but always. Then you will understand him; then you will see what he freely offers you; then you will gladly accept his call to you. Then you will hear the words of God: this is my son; this is my daughter with whom I am well pleased.
Let us experience this wonderful joy together with Jesus through this year.
AMEN
Rev Gordon Thomas © 2007