Wellspring UMC; Baptism of Our Lord; January 13, 2008: “A Just Son”:

-Isaiah 42: 1-9; Matthew 3: 13-17

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.” What an interesting way for God to begin the transformation of the world. What an odd way to stop what had always been and open a new era in history. What a weird thing that Jesus would come to John.

Many of us know the stories of John the Baptizer, and many of us know that he was disturbed...at least according to “normal” people. This was a man who lived and worked out in the wilderness, in the middle of nowhere, crying out to whomever might pass by...an unlikely thing to have happen...”Repent! For the Kingdom of God is at hand!” This was a man who dressed in animal skins and ate locust and wild honey.

This was a man who was doing a completely new thing – baptizing, cleansing for the remission of sins. Jewish tradition called for sacrifice for the remission of sins, and Jewish tradition certainly didn’t include women in their rites of initiation. Circumcision was the entry point, and yet John instead is dunking folks in the Jordan...a voice in the wilderness crying out, “Make way for the Messiah! He’s coming! Better get cleaned up, because God is coming to transform the world.” What an odd figure, but again, what an odd thing that Jesus would come to HIM with the intention of being baptized, and yet that was Christ’s intention.

John saw what was coming. John recognized the irony of the situation. Jesus was perfect. Jesus was the One conceived by the Holy Spirit. Jesus was the One visited by Magi. Jesus was the one fulfilling prophecies and living into His destiny as the Son of God, the Salvation of the World, the Messiah. And yet, Jesus comes to one who was fully human. Chosen by God as a servant, but fully human. Jesus, the divine, comes and submits Himself to one like us.

John tries to get out of it, “But I am the one who should be baptized by you!” But Christ answers, “Let it be so now, for in this way we fulfill all righteousness.” That is, this is the plan. This is the fulfillment of the prophets of old, and this is the way it has to be.

Whenever I come to this passage, as many other passages, I love to imagine in my mind what is happening. Imagine what John must have looked like, imagine what he must have felt as Jesus drew near. I imagine what Jesus must have been thinking as he journeyed toward the destiny of which he knew the ultimate ending.

I imagine who was around them. A ragtag group of desperate people, willing to come out to meet a crazy man who cried out for repentance, for only the lowest were probably there. Those who were at the end of their rope or those cast out by society. Oh, there may have been a few gawkers or religious zealots who were curious about this lunatic in the valley, but God led people there who hoped for something to grab hold of...seeking relief...searching for meaning.

We imagine John and Jesus in the midst of them. At the edge of the Jordan and finally agreeing to God’s intention. We can almost see Jesus going under and proclaiming in this act, “I submit myself to the world. I begin at the bottom. The beginning of all righteousness begins with those who live outside, those who are the least, those for whom injustice visits daily.” And as he rises, the Spirit descends like a dove and lands on him, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

This is the One whom I proclaimed through the prophet Isaiah: “Here is my servant, my chosen. I will put my Spirit upon Him and He will bring Justice to the nations.” “In faithfulness He will bring forth justice. “...I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take your hand. I will make you to be a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison, and to release from dungeons those who sit in darkness...”

The One baptized. The One called. The One who made his home among the least and the lost. The One whose birth we just celebrated and baptism we give thanks for today, is the Son of God. But even more powerfully, He is the Just Son of our Just God.

Today we celebrate the baptism of Christ, but we also remember what Baptism means for us. Baptisms are always special for they represent the salvation of souls, the first step on a journey to true life, and the infusion of the Spirit’s power that mixes with the mentoring and support of the Church. Baptisms are joyous occasions, for at Baptism, heaven meets Earth, and God is pleased. And yet there are aspects of baptism which, when we fully embrace them might cause us to turn tail and run, for through baptism, we incorporated into the Body of the One who resided with sinners, ate with the outcasts, and reached out to those whom the world hated.

There is a call that comes through baptism that challenges, not just the status quo, but our own comfort. Through baptism, we are reminded that we, like Christ, are no longer our own but we are led by God...led through wilderness, to participate in miracles, guided toward crosses, and invited to die to self, so God would live through us.

Such powerful and frightening aspects of the faith are revealed through the baptismal liturgy. It begins: “Brothers and sisters in Christ, through the sacrament of Baptism, we are initiated into Christ’s Holy Church, incorporated into God’s mighty acts of salvation, and given new birth through water and the Spirit.”

That is, in baptism we become a part of God’s vehicle for the transformation of the world. Us, human, mixing with Christ, divine, WE are changed...born again by water and Spirit...to change world. In short, in and through the Body, Christ’s Church, the divine is made incarnate.

After this introduction we turn toward those to be baptized, or those presenting their children to be baptized, saying (with the ideals of John the Baptist on our lips), “Do you recognize that evil exists? Do you renounce those evil forces and repent?”

“Do you accept the freedom to choose against evil? The power God gives to resist injustice and the responsibility to stand up against oppression, however such things present themselves?” In other words, with the Spirit, we are empowered to pure living and given strength to turn from sin and be a part of God’s way of salvation, especially for the oppressed. Do you confess Jesus as Savior, put your WHOLE trust in his grace, and promise to serve Him as your Lord, with the Church which is open to every race and clime? That is, will you be Christ to the world? Is all your trust in Him? Will you serve Him, even if it means that He’ll call you to stand up or step out or go against the rising tide? Will our lives emulate and embody the example of the Just Son? By the Spirit’s power, will we be a part of the “fulfillment of all righteousness?”

These are tough words and hard promises, yet in recounting this, it reminds us as adults, of our sacredness as baptized children of God. They remind us that though baptism can melt our hearts, they can also move us to melt away for fear of what and who we’re called to be. They remind us of the quote from the author Annie Dillard who said, “We shouldn’t be wearing Easter bonnets and straw hats to church, instead we should wear crash helmets.” Baptism is serious stuff, and yet it is joyfully, and amazingly transformative.

Almost four years ago, Wellspring went through a process of discernment which led to the adoption of our mission statement, “to care as Jesus cares.” The statement fits well this people and God’s vision for who we are and who we are called to be. Ingrained in our communal DNA is the ideal of caring and acceptance for whoever comes through our doors. This is a place which exudes caring, love, and support, and many who visit comment that they feel this when they walk through the doors. Thus, this mission statement is a fitting reminder of what God has placed at the core of this community – caring.

The adoption of this mission statement implies that in all we do, and all we are, we will care, not as humans do, but as Jesus does. From excellence in worship and teaching, to reaching out to the community, to caring enough about ourselves that we intentionally nurture our own spiritual lives, we are called to care as Jesus cares.

I looked up the word “care” in the dictionary, and it can be used as both a verb and a noun. As a verb it is used to describe ‘a state of being concerned, having regard for, making provision, or looking out for others.’ As a noun, it implies ‘a state of mind, cause, or object of anxiety or concern...something that requires serious attention.’

I’d venture to say that we most often gravitate toward using caring as a verb. We think or act out our caring, which most often leads us to be concerned, make provision, and care for others. But what is often short-shrift is a focus on ‘care’ as a noun. That we intentionally minister to the cares of the world. That we address those cares which require us to stand up to injustice, nudge us toward our discomfort zones, or simply call us to risk ourselves or our faith for God’s work in the Kingdom.

Now I know that this is one of the greatest churches in the area, and indeed we do a lot for others in the name of Christ. We are passionate, we care about those around us, and we respond when needs arise. Over the past few years we’ve built a wonderful staff and leadership team, laying the foundation for an amazing future. I, like you, am amazed by what God does through us, how God uses us, and where God is leading us. And yet, there is still much to do...there are even more opportunities for us to embrace as we live out our baptismal vows.

Literally, from the time I received the call that I would be appointed your pastor almost 5 years ago, I felt the Spirit move in powerful ways, speaking and saying, “This church has great potential as Kingdom builders.” Ever since I’ve been here and throughout my tenure, God has laid before me a vision that this congregation will become an even more powerful witness of the Gospel for this community. That because of our giftedness, God’s desire for Wellspring is to the hand and heart of Christ to those outside, to those in need, to those who face injustice and pain every day, even if the road is hard. To be intentional in sharing and embodying the Good News, to live out our baptismal vows, and to bring others to experience the joy and hope we feel every Sunday.

In my mind I’ve heard over and over again the words of Jesus when he said, “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required...” In my heart I’ve felt the groans of a community which struggles with race, division, inequity, and injustice. In living out the call to lead this congregation I’ve recognized that God needs us to be intentional in seeking those who do not know Christ and to minister to a community that desperately needs to experience the Kingdom of God in our midst.

In 2008 the Just Son, the One baptized for the salvation of the world, is speaking and moving and inviting us to take the next faithful step...to intentionally and deliberately move toward fulfilling our baptismal vows so that we embody the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. As we’ve entered a new year, and from what I see and feel, we have the potential to enter a new era in the life and history of Wellspring United Methodist Church. An era which will require some adjustments, a time when we’ll need to be in prayer with discerning hearts, a period where we move from what we’ve always known to what God offers before us. A time to move toward the cares of the world. To follow the Son, seek justice, embody true care, and reveal the Kingdom to those around us and the world. [SIT]