Jesus' Baptism, Take Two

The baptism of Jesus is so important, it gets two Sundays in our Lectionary, from different points of view.  This week we hear John’s version, which is much different from the other Gospels as it emphasizes Jesus’ being baptized with the Holy Spirit rather than with water.  This follows the way the Holy Spirit worked prior to the event of Pentecost, when it was given to particular people at particular times for particular reasons.  In Jesus’ case, it was to embody “the Lamb of God.”
As we begin our calendar year, the focus on baptism in helpful and important.  Last Sunday we reaffirmed our Baptismal Covenant as a way to rededicate ourselves of how to live out our Christian identity in the world.  We will repent, we will pray, we will worship, we will love, we will respect.  These are no small tasks and we need God’s help, as well as our community, in order to fulfill our sacred vows. Secluar society will do all it can to distract us for these core values, but we are called and empowered by the Holy Spirit to recognize injustice and cruelty for what it is – ways to divide and separate us from each other and God.
Bishop Tracie Bartholomew of the ECLA Synod of New Jersey, said “Baptism is the -ism that supercedes and erases all the -isms that divide us.” Baptism literally washes away the numerous ways we humans have chosen to categorize the “other” to dehumanizing them.  Baptism is the great equalizer because it offers us the new identity as “child of God.” As such, the social constructs of status and power due to color, age, gender, national origin, etc., are negated – or at least they should be.
Of course, some will claim that since Christians practice baptism, we are the only true believers.  The irony is almost palpable as the rite of baptism should not be about claiming a status but offering ourselves in service to God.  Baptism is about letting go of ego rather than adding another weapon to one’s arsenal of superiority. Unfortunately, not all Christians adhere to this understanding of baptism, and we are lesser for it.
This weekend is the 88th anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther King, Jr., a man dedicated to teaching all people about God’s vast love.  As a Baptist minister, who know knew the power and importance of baptism to claim the rights and privileges as a child of God – one who is no better AND no worse than other.  King’s legacy is how the Holy Spirit enabled him to claim and proclaim those rights and privileges in a society that systematically denied them. The truth will set us free – both the heinous truth of racism in the United States and God’s love for ALL.
We who have been baptized have the same spirit in us that was in King and in Jesus.  That may seem intimidating, but it is the truth.  It is our inheritance to offer ourselves in service to God by being bold in the Spirit, allowing the Spirit to work in and through us, especially when we see any -ism at work.
If you are not sure how to do this, I invite you participate in the Lenten series “Set Our Hearts on Fire,” an opportunity to explore God’s reaching out to us and us reaching back whole-heartedly. I want everyone to consider making the commitment to attend all 5 sessions. There is a big heart on the bulletin board in Hubbard Hall and there are “flames” for us to write our names on them to show our commitment to full participation in the program.  It will be on Wednesday nights from 6:30 PM (dinner) 7:00 – 8:30 PM (program). 
Baptism is our entrance rite into the Church – the Body of Christ.  Now, as Christ’s hands and feet in the world, let us wipe away every -ism boldly!
In Christ,

Rev. Valerie+

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