January 9, 2022
The Baptism of the Lord
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy, we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus, that moment in time when Christ entered into his ministry, announced by the thundering voice of Divine Infinity.
Maybe you’re not like me in this, but I must confess to sometimes letting the scriptures become very ordinary and pedantic. These passages have been read at me in church, sometimes well, often poorly, for seven decades. They have been plastered on billboards, bumper stickers and Church marquees for just as long. All that mundane exposure has demystified some of the most amazing words ever written.
But just think about what today’s Gospel describes.
Think about the greatest prophet of both the Old and New Testament standing waist-deep in the Jordan, eyes locked on Christ.
Think about Jesus, perfectly communed with the Father, walking slowly past the bird-filled trees and bushes to a moment that had been waiting for Him since all eternity. Did not those works of the Creator’s hands sing in worship as he passed?
Think about the pulsing sky already filled with the Creator’s waiting breath, ready to burst with the proclamation of the Son – this Son who said “Yes” to the greatest act of love in history!
For a few moments this morning, let yourself be there. Be filled with nature’s orchestra. Be filled with the pulsing colors of God’s astonishing revelation. Be filled with the Baptist’s profound reverence. Be filled with Christ’s omnipotent freedom and joy.
Let us enter with gratitude and celebration into the Baptism of Jesus!
Poetry: Jesus’ Baptism – Malcolm Guite
Beginning here we glimpse the Three-in-one;
The river runs, the clouds are torn apart,
The Father speaks, the Spirit and the Son
Reveal to us the single loving heart
That beats behind the being of all things
And calls and keeps and kindles us to light.
The dove descends, the spirit soars and sings
‘You are belovèd, you are my delight!’In that quick light and life, as water spills
And streams around the Man like quickening rain,
The voice that made the universe reveals
The God in Man who makes it new again.
He calls us too, to step into that river
To die and rise and live and love forever.
Music: Jesus the Lord – Roc O’Connor
Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus
Let all creation bend the knee to the Lord.
- In Him we live, we move and have our being;
In Him the Christ, In Him the King!
Jesus the Lord. - Though Son, He did not cling to Godliness,
But emptied Himself, became a slave!
Jesus the Lord. - He lived obediently His Father’s will
Accepting His death, death on a cross!
Jesus the Lord!
Lavish Mercy 