Baptism of Our Lord: Entering the Mess

 

To be open to the embrace of the Father  

is necessarily and inevitably to be open  

to the whole creation, which is held in his embrace.

Brother Martin Smith, SSJE

Have you ever wondered why Jesus chose to enter the mess? He didn't have to. He could have kept his distance, looking down from afar upon the crowd who had flocked out to John seeking forgiveness for their sins. He who was without sin could have stood at a distance, not getting caught up in the chaos. Yet on that riverbank, he makes the conscious choice to enter the fullness of our condition.

 

It is in that precise moment that God's pleasure can no longer be contained: "This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 2:22).  Take note of the Father's joy as the Son throws away his separateness to enter into our brokenness. He who is without sin becomes one with us in our pain. It is then that the Spirit descends, filling him with an awareness of his true identity as the beloved Son. Only as Jesus heeds God's call to take on our suffering does God flood him with awareness of his unique relationship as the only-begotten Son and anoint him with the Spirit for his mission; not before. It is the same for us. Only as we step out in faith will we receive confirmation of our core identity in Christ and God's call.

 

When Jesus chose to plunge himself that day into our condition, he revealed that nothing shall separate us from the love of God (see Romans 8:31-39). What a profound moment of truth for us! In his baptism, Jesus embodies God's love for us even as he challenges us to follow him into the mess.   From the prophets on, God has called us to seek the Shalom of the cities to which we have been sent in exile (see Jeremiah 29:1-11). Jesus models this with his baptism as he enters into our brokenness.

 

This is the axis on which the gospel turns.   The same movement of surrender that opens us to intimacy with God, also opens us up to compassion with all who struggle and are in need. To be open to the Spirit is to be open to humanity in all its brokenness and its ardent yearning for wholeness.

 

As Brother Martin Smith of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist reminds us: "To be open to the embrace of the Father is necessarily and inevitably to be open to the whole creation, which is held in his embrace."

 

 

Holy Habit: Entering the Mess

As you begin this new year, read through the four accounts of Jesus baptism: Matthew 3:1-17; Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:1-37; John 1:19-34. Do not try to reconcile the differences in the four accounts, receive them for their different perspectives, each offering revelation. Now, choose one account and read it aloud. Take a moment to ponder the scene again. Where are you on that muddy riverbank? Are you part of the crowd? One of John's disciples? John the Baptist? Jesus, himself? How do you experience Jesus' entry into our condition...brokenness... need? How does Jesus' entering into our mess inform God's call to you? In what way is God calling you to enter into the mess of your community to bring healing?

 

 

 

We are seeking to fulfill our pulpit by a part-time pastor, either half-time or three quarter-time. Our pulpit is now vacant due to resignation.

We are an 80+ member church serving God through our mission to community, country and world. Our church is a "Confessing Church" and holds faithfully to "Reformed Doctrine." Our purpose exists to bring the bread of life to all of God's people.

Interested persons should contact, Jim Lawrence, Elder, Worship Committee Chairperson at lawj6@frontier.com.