Dearest e-votees-
This week God’s self-revelation in the season of Epiphany continues with the Baptism of Jesus.
Jesus approaches his cousin to be baptized.
People are watching John closely and beginning to wonder if he just might be the Messiah. John defers to another—one who baptizes with fire and the Holy Spirit.
All the people, including Jesus, are baptized. Jesus is one of us—he is pure human. He undergoes the rites and rituals of the people.
A voice comes from heaven and the Holy Spirit descends setting Jesus apart. He is not just one of us—he is pure God.
The interactions and the drama of flesh and divinity coming together are just getting started.
Peace,
Karl
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15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
Are we filled with expectation? Do we have questions in our hearts? Are we looking for the Messiah’s abiding presence and gracious actions in the world? Or has something else captured our eyes and our imaginations?
In his baptism Jesus has connected with us in his humanity. In our baptisms we are connected to Jesus. Humanity and divinity meet in Jesus. We people meet God in Jesus. Heaven is torn open and access to God through Christ is granted. Just as the sky is torn open at Jesus’ baptism (see Mark 1:10) so too will the Temple curtain be torn open at Jesus’ death (see Matthew 25:51; Mark 5:38; Luke 23:45). Jesus eradicates the barriers between God and us. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
If we truly understand this good news we will be filled with expectation and looking for the Messiah’s abiding presence and gracious actions in the world and in our very lives.
Jesus, you are God’s Son, our Beloved Savior, help us be well pleased with you and your ways. Amen.
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