Baptism of Christ – morning
Sunday 13th January 2019
Epiphany 2 – Baptism of Christ – morning
Isaiah 43. 1-7
Luke 3. 15-17; 21-22
Revd Preb Maureen Hobbs
OK, so how many of you have said at some time over the Christmas holiday or at New Year – “Never again!”, “Why do I do it!”; made a resolution to lose those extra pounds; to give up alcohol – (dry January anyone?); to stop smoking – again. How many of us when confronted by the bank statement – and the credit card statement – in the reality of January, gasp in horror at the consequences of our generosity – or is it guilt? Presents given in lieu of time spent with our loved ones?
Remorse is something that we human beings are really good at – especially at particular times of the year and the first few days and weeks of January must be the tops when it comes to guilt and resolutions to change… to repent, if you like. Only, despite the remorse, we are not too good at the repentance – not beyond a few hours or a few days anyway. I won’t embarrass you by asking how many of the New Year’s resolutions you have broken already, and I won’t tell you about mine – not quite two weeks into 2019!
So I suppose anything that helps us to stick with the resolutions – to turn our initial resolve into real repentance – to really change our ways – change our life – anything is going to be good?
I don’t suppose many of us associate the ritual of baptism with our adult desires to turn our lives around? After all, for most – if not all, of us – this is something that happens when we are quite young (Darcey’s age or even younger) and we don’t have much active memory of it. But Baptism is very much about turning away from all the difficult things in life that get in the way between us and God, and positively turning our gaze to God as revealed in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.
John’s baptism was all about repentance – making good for the unclean actions and thoughts we all commit…. At least all except Jesus himself, because wasn’t he supposed to be the sin-less one? So why did he come seeking baptism do you suppose….
Jesus’ baptism marks the start of something new – newly created in the world; never before experienced… John came to tell people that they needed God in their lives like never before – and I think we still do. And the best way to realize that is to be baptized.
Secondly, Jesus’ baptism tells us something new about the very nature of God. Our needs are not going to be met by the same old tired religious responses. No, this is different. God is going to act in a new way! He is not remote and aloof. In the person of Jesus, God enters into our experience – all of it! So he too will experience the shock of baptism. He is no longer going to be the kind of teacher or lecturer who stands afar off and tells us what to do in dry academic terms. He is prepared to get in among us and show us by example how to live our lives in future. He involves himself with his people, and that is the mark of his saving love for us. That is what can give us the courage to live the life of faith. “Don’t just tell us what to do – show us!”
Thirdly, as we turn towards Christ and our new life together, we are formed into a new community – one “in communion” – which is why baptism is the fundamental and most important rite of initiation for Christians. Confirmation is a good step to take, but it is only the second part of the baptism that was begun for us (most of us) as children. So the physical form of the communion – bread and wine, should never be denied to those who are baptized who are (as the prayerbook puts it) “desirous of confirming the promises made for them at baptism.” Anyone who feels the urge to belong may come and partake of bread and wine and blessing…. although of course it is good to make an adult confirmation of that too. Baptism is a bridge – not a roadblock. In baptism we don’t reach the end of anything, rather we turn a corner into a new path that opens life up in striking ways – part of Christ’s new community. Baptism always speaks of belonging to Christ’s people. It always challenges us; are we on the road with and to Jesus, or not?