The Beloved - First Sunday afther the Epiphany

The Baptism of Our Lord, Sunday January 12, 2020

Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 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. 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. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”  Matthew 3:13-17

When we were kid, playing in the ocean in the heat of the summer, we loved to pretend baptizing one another. We would take turns bending each other back, holding them under the waves and saying what we thought were holy words. None of us came from a full immersion baptism tradition, but we were certainly all in at play. Sometimes, it seemed the intent was to drown one another. PK - pastors kids, tend to play and exaggerate what they see, just as all children do.

Jesus comes to John for baptism. John, right away recognizes that it should be the other way round. He knew Jesus and exactly who he was. Yet, they were both all in, knowing their roles and what needed to be done. Despite their discomfort in that moment, they did what was right and necessary, and in doing so, a transforming and holy moment happened. We are invited to be all in and do what we need to do, knowing that God can transform our simple, human moments into abundant miracles.

Today I ask God to give me the courage to be all in, all the time. May we not shy away from the deep waters, trusting that God will make holy what we humbly offer.

Collect

Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.