Sunday, January 12, 2025

Theme

All four of our gospel accounts connect the beginning of Jesus’ ministry with his baptism by John the Baptizer. In addition to having an account of John’s miraculous birth, Luke’s Gospel has some of John’s fiery preaching. As is often the case with this gospel account, John’s sermon has a decidedly pragmatic focus, he is worried about people’s material needs. He speaks to what we would call wealth inequality, demanding that those with the exorbitant riches (like two coats or more than enough food) should give to those who don’t have any. He warns that the coming wrath of God is like an ax poised to cut down the tree at its very root.

Luke’s gospel is also very careful to cast John as the one who prepares the way for someone else. He warns that his baptism of water will be replaced with a baptism of fire and Spirit, and that the one to come would be like a winnowing fork, getting rid of the straw and chaff. Yet, the baptism of Jesus in this gospel is almost an afterthought. Jesus is baptized along with who knows how many others, and off by himself receives the Holy Spirit, and a voice from heaven.

Questions

– How do you feel about the revolutionary language of John’s preaching? What might he have to say about the many coats in our closets, or the obscene  wealth held by the elite of today?

– How is this message like or unlike Jesus’?

– Why would the gospel writers be so interested in what John the Baptizer had to say, when they are writing about Jesus?

– What does baptism mean to you?

Reflections:

Baptism of the Lord

Introit: The text of “Sing of God Made Manifest” cites disclosures of Jesus as Messiah. The second verse we use references his baptism by John.

Opening Hymn: “Wild and Lone the Prophet’s Voice” draws on the report, in Matthew, of John’s preaching, the voice in the wilderness.

Transition Hymn: For the month of January, “I Love You, Lord”.

Special Music: Kellen Jones will be singing an arrangement of “Shall We Gather at the River” by Aaron Copeland.

Baptism Preparation: Our regular preparation hymn for the Remembrance of Baptism will be “Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters”.

Sending Hymn: “Take Me to the Water”: “This African American spiritual sums up the commitment of a candidate for baptism: the request for the rite, an expression of motivation, and a succinct affirmation of faith.”

Benediction: Our benediction for the month of January is the first verse of “God Be With You Till We Meet Again”.