Feast of the Baptism the Lord
January 10, 2021
January 10, 2021
From Rev. Anthony Ekanem MSP
Every time we discover an aspect in another person we are interested in, or we love, we stop in wonderment. Sometimes, we are compelled to call that person a friend, a brother or a sister even though we are not biologically related. This deep insight and sharing with a person that we are drawn to can lead us to a greater appreciation, deeper intimacy and trust in the person.
Last Sunday, we celebrated - Mary’s newborn baby revealed to the world as a king when the magi from the East arrived with the gifts to pay Him homage. On this Sunday after Epiphany, we celebrate the Lord’s baptism by John, His cousin in the Jordan. Mark relates Jesus’ baptism as another epiphany (manifestation), declaring that the Lord Jesus is the Son of God. Mark’s main concern is with the Jesus’ identity. The heavenly voice, ‘You are my beloved Son,’ echoes Psalm 2:7, a psalm used for the coronation of the kings from the house of David, and thus points to Jesus as the Messiah. The words ‘with whom I am well pleased,’ echo Isaiah 42:1, pointing to Jesus as the slain Servant who is to bear the infirmities of many. Thus, Mark reveals Jesus as royal Messiah and Suffering Servant.
Today, we hear God’s voice revealing Jesus as the Son of God. Both prophet Isaiah and John the Baptist prepare the world for the Lord’s coming by describing who He is. But the Lord did not some just come to those who recognize these two Jewish men, so when telling a group of Gentiles about Jesus, Peter openly tells them that God accepts everyone who believes. Jesus’ call-in life is that of the only – begotten Son to God, the Father. This is an aspect of Jesus’ personality that gives us a deeper insight into who our Lord is. He is “the man for others.”
In the Gospel, we hear John the Baptist contrast his baptism of repentance with the baptism that Jesus will inaugurate. John the Baptist says that he has baptized with water, but that the one who is to come will baptize with the Holy Spirit. John's baptism was not yet a Christian baptism; it was a preparation for the Christian Baptism we celebrate today, and through which sins are forgiven and the gift of the Holy Spirit is received. In accepting John's baptism, Jesus, though sinless, united Himself with all sinners.
The baptism of Jesus is reported in each of the three Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Clearly, Jesus' baptism was an event of great significance for Jesus and for the early Christian community. Mark and Luke report the story from Jesus' perspective; the voice from heaven is addressed to Jesus. In Matthew's Gospel, the voice from heaven speaks to all who are present. The descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus at his baptism shows that something new is beginning through the baptism and earthly ministry of Jesus.
The baptism of Jesus is considered an important manifestation of God in the person of Jesus, another epiphany. Jesus' baptism inaugurates His mission. This is a decisive moment in His life. Mark's Gospel moves quickly from the report of Jesus' baptism to Jesus' temptations in the desert to His ministry in Galilee after John's arrest. The end of the ministry of John the Baptist is the beginning of Jesus' ministry. In an analogous way, our Baptism inaugurates our mission as Christians. When we reach a cross – road where we are confronted with radically different choices, how do we face them? Baptism of Jesus by John in the Jordan was a turning point in His life. Prior to this, He had lived the comparatively quiet and secure life of a village carpenter in Nazareth. But all the while, He had been hearing a call to something more important. Then His cousin, John began his work of preaching and baptizing people. Suddenly Jesus left His old life and opted for a new one – that of a spiritual teacher and healer to His brother and sisters. From that point on in His life, He would never be the same. He found Himself and His real vocation. All His hidden qualities of care and love, which had been growing quietly like wheat in a field, now manifested themselves and were given full expression.
Surprisingly, on this last day of the Christmas season, the Gospel does not tell a story from Jesus' childhood. Instead, the Gospel reveals Jesus' relationship to God: The Son of Mary and Joseph is also God's own Son. We believe that through Baptism we are also made children of God. But the ultimate question for a Christian is: Am I being true to the direction in which I was pointed at baptism?
May God’s word bring us to a deeper understanding of who Jesus is to us and to the world.
Last Sunday, we celebrated - Mary’s newborn baby revealed to the world as a king when the magi from the East arrived with the gifts to pay Him homage. On this Sunday after Epiphany, we celebrate the Lord’s baptism by John, His cousin in the Jordan. Mark relates Jesus’ baptism as another epiphany (manifestation), declaring that the Lord Jesus is the Son of God. Mark’s main concern is with the Jesus’ identity. The heavenly voice, ‘You are my beloved Son,’ echoes Psalm 2:7, a psalm used for the coronation of the kings from the house of David, and thus points to Jesus as the Messiah. The words ‘with whom I am well pleased,’ echo Isaiah 42:1, pointing to Jesus as the slain Servant who is to bear the infirmities of many. Thus, Mark reveals Jesus as royal Messiah and Suffering Servant.
Today, we hear God’s voice revealing Jesus as the Son of God. Both prophet Isaiah and John the Baptist prepare the world for the Lord’s coming by describing who He is. But the Lord did not some just come to those who recognize these two Jewish men, so when telling a group of Gentiles about Jesus, Peter openly tells them that God accepts everyone who believes. Jesus’ call-in life is that of the only – begotten Son to God, the Father. This is an aspect of Jesus’ personality that gives us a deeper insight into who our Lord is. He is “the man for others.”
In the Gospel, we hear John the Baptist contrast his baptism of repentance with the baptism that Jesus will inaugurate. John the Baptist says that he has baptized with water, but that the one who is to come will baptize with the Holy Spirit. John's baptism was not yet a Christian baptism; it was a preparation for the Christian Baptism we celebrate today, and through which sins are forgiven and the gift of the Holy Spirit is received. In accepting John's baptism, Jesus, though sinless, united Himself with all sinners.
The baptism of Jesus is reported in each of the three Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Clearly, Jesus' baptism was an event of great significance for Jesus and for the early Christian community. Mark and Luke report the story from Jesus' perspective; the voice from heaven is addressed to Jesus. In Matthew's Gospel, the voice from heaven speaks to all who are present. The descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus at his baptism shows that something new is beginning through the baptism and earthly ministry of Jesus.
The baptism of Jesus is considered an important manifestation of God in the person of Jesus, another epiphany. Jesus' baptism inaugurates His mission. This is a decisive moment in His life. Mark's Gospel moves quickly from the report of Jesus' baptism to Jesus' temptations in the desert to His ministry in Galilee after John's arrest. The end of the ministry of John the Baptist is the beginning of Jesus' ministry. In an analogous way, our Baptism inaugurates our mission as Christians. When we reach a cross – road where we are confronted with radically different choices, how do we face them? Baptism of Jesus by John in the Jordan was a turning point in His life. Prior to this, He had lived the comparatively quiet and secure life of a village carpenter in Nazareth. But all the while, He had been hearing a call to something more important. Then His cousin, John began his work of preaching and baptizing people. Suddenly Jesus left His old life and opted for a new one – that of a spiritual teacher and healer to His brother and sisters. From that point on in His life, He would never be the same. He found Himself and His real vocation. All His hidden qualities of care and love, which had been growing quietly like wheat in a field, now manifested themselves and were given full expression.
Surprisingly, on this last day of the Christmas season, the Gospel does not tell a story from Jesus' childhood. Instead, the Gospel reveals Jesus' relationship to God: The Son of Mary and Joseph is also God's own Son. We believe that through Baptism we are also made children of God. But the ultimate question for a Christian is: Am I being true to the direction in which I was pointed at baptism?
May God’s word bring us to a deeper understanding of who Jesus is to us and to the world.
