Luke 3:1-22

(sermon note:

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

“Prepare the way of the Lord,

make his paths straight.

Every valley shall be filled,

and every mountain and hill shall be made low,

and the crooked shall be made straight,

and the rough ways made smooth;

and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” ’

John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.’

And the crowds asked him, ‘What then should we do?’ In reply he said to them, ‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.’ Even tax-collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.’ Soldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.’

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 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. 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.’

So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. But Herod the ruler, who had been rebuked by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the evil things that Herod had done, added to them all by shutting up John in prison.

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 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.’

This morning’s reading reminds me of the one about Peter and Paul who were about to graduate seminary together. While Peter was very smart, Paul had a difficult time with schoolwork, so Peter would let him copy his homework to make sure he could pass his classes. As the time approached for their interview with the bishop, Paul was very nervous. “What if I don’t know how to answer him?” he asked his friend. “Don’t worry,” Peter replied, “our interviews are the same day, and he’ll ask us the same questions. I’ll go first, just stand with your ear to the keyhole and listen to what I say. When it’s your turn, just repeat my answers, and you’ll be fine!” The day arrived, and Peter went into the bishop’s office first. After some initial small talk, the bishop said “Look, Peter, I just have one question to ask you. Let’s say you are performing the act of communion, and while you are holding the chalice, a fly lands in the sacramental wine. What do you do?” “Well, Father,” Peter responded, “I would carefully remove him, squeeze off any excess liquid, take him outside, and ceremonially burn him.” “That’s an excellent answer,” said the bishop, “you are clearly a great priest!” “Not yet, Father,” Peter replied, “but someday, under your guidance and direction, I will be.” After Peter had completed his interview, it was Paul’s turn. The bishop engaged in small talk, then got to the point. “Paul,” he said, “I just have one question for you. You are performing the rite of baptism, and the baby boy slips from your hands into the baptismal font. What do you do?” “Well, Father,” Paul responded, “I would carefully remove him, squeeze off any excess liquid, take him outside, and ceremonially burn him.” Horrified, the bishop exclaimed, “That’s terrible! You aren’t a priest, you’re an imbecile!” “Not yet, Father,” Paul replied, “but someday, under your guidance and direction, I will be.”

And the lesson to be learned from that is never to cheat! Not really a lesson reflected in our reading for this morning but certainly a funny segue into our reflection on baptism. In particular, Jesus’ baptism. It’s an interesting thing to celebrate throughout the church year. It’s not like the baptism was necessary for Jesus’ salvation the way it is for the rest of us. John’s baptism was all about repentance and cleansing people of their sins. Since Jesus was always without sin, there would have been no need for him to repent and for John to cleanse him of his sins. So why even perform the ritual, let alone celebrate it year after year on this Baptism of Our Lord Sunday? I posed the question in our Bible study this week and there were great responses. If Jesus was to experience full humanity, then that meant he had to experience all the necessary rituals of humanity. Everyone else was getting baptized, therefore Jesus had to get baptized as well. Certainly, a good response but nothing to explain celebrating it. No, perhaps a more accurate reason has to do with that voice that came from heaven declaring, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Now then, this is the only time we hear proclamation. Recall how a similar proclamation is made towards the end of Jesus’ ministry when he takes two of his trusted discipled up the mountain and appears to them in full glory, the so-called “transfiguration.” He came down from the mountain and began his final journey into Jerusalem where he was arrested and crucified. So similar proclamations given at the beginning and ending of his earthly ministry. Jesus’ baptism was, in essence, a coming-out party in which the Father brought him out of obscurity and set him to task in teaching and performing miracles. It was one thing to impress the elders in the temple at a young age as we heard about last month. It was quite another thing to be publicly declared the Son of God. Now Jesus had a reputation to uphold! The Son of God had to behave like the Son of God! I always like to envision Jesus grumbling at the Father for having outed him to the world. “C’mon, dad, I was perfectly fine being a nobody!”

So as we celebrate Jesus’ baptism, we are essentially celebrating the start of his earthly ministry. And what a joyous thing to celebrate! It’s one thing to celebrate Jesus coming into our world as we do each year at Christmas. It’s another thing to celebrate Jesus coming into our minds and hearts as we do with his baptism. We open our minds and hearts to him this day and all days and boy, does he set to work healing us and transforming us! Jesus teaches us so much about God and brings us great peace and wholeness. Jesus teaches us that our God is a God of love and justice and patience and understanding. Our God deserves our love and obedience. Our God is a good and generous God. We all stand to live better lives by welcoming Jesus into our hearts and minds. Without Jesus, there is only fear and doubt. Fear of death and what awaits us after this life. Fear of God’s wrath and judgment for the sins we commit in this world. Fear of the world and everyone around us. Doubt that we are deserving of his love. This world can be a cold and cruel world for those who don’t know Jesus. What a gift to have his wisdom and healing, assurance and fearlessness!

Recall how Saul had his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. He was blinded for three days, in absolute terror, until the man, Annanias, came to him and boldly encouraged him, “And now why do you delay? Get up, be baptized, and have your sins washed away, calling on his name.” (Acts 22:16) Of course, he immediately was baptized and set free from his fear and doubt. So it is with us when we welcome Jesus into our hearts and minds. Friends, why delay? Jesus is nothing but a gift for those who welcome him. Recall the words of Jesus to another spiritually blind person, Nicodemus: “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.” (John 3:5) Again, Jesus encouraged a person a blindness to welcome him in. Baptism is nothing more than a welcoming for Jesus. And once we receive him, we truly are saved from ourselves and the world around us. Jesus said, “the one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)

Jesus’ baptism not only connects him with the full human experience. It not only starts Jesus’ earthly ministry. It also validates and strengthens the ritual. Jesus adds his healing touch to the ritual, and we know his healing is absolute healing. Our sins are truly washed away because Jesus baptizes with fire and the Holy Spirit, not just water. So let us celebrate and give thanks for Jesus’ baptism. Thanks be to God!

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.