08 January 2023 - Baptism of the Lord Sunday (Epiphany 1)

 

Theme

This week is Baptism of the Lord Sunday. The scripture readings tell of God’s pleasure towards people. In Matthew, a voice from heaven declares that Jesus is God’s Son with whom God is well pleased. Isaiah declares that God is pleased with God’s servant who will demonstrate God’s righteousness and be a light to guide the nations. In Acts, Peter declares that God accepts anyone who fears God and does what is right.

Scripture Readings

  • Isaiah 42:1-9 - The people are instructed to look at God’s servant, who God strengthens and is pleased with. God’s Spirit is within him and he will bring justice to the nations. God has called the servant to demonstrate God’s righteousness and be a light to guide the nations.
  • Psalm 29 - A Psalm of praise, glorying in God’s might and power.
  • Acts 10:34-43 - Peter declares that God shows no favouritism and accepts anyone who fears God and does what is right. He reminds the listeners that Jesus was baptised by water and the Spirit before going on to do good and provide healing. Peter says that Jesus is the one all the prophets testified about.
  • Matthew 3:13-17 - Jesus visited John the baptist to be baptised by him, but John claims that he is the one who should be baptised by Jesus. Jesus convinces him by saying that they should do all that God requires. After his baptism, the heavens were opened and Jesus saw the Spirit of God descend on him like a dove and a voice from heaven said: “This is my son with whom I am well pleased.”

The Context

This week if the first Sunday after The Epiphany. Because most churches do not have a service on the day of The Epiphany (06 January), some churches will use the lectionary readings for The Epiphany this Sunday. For this reflection, I have decided to rather stick to the prescribed readings for this Sunday, which is Baptism of the Lord Sunday.

Personal Application

This week’s readings draw our attention in two directions. First, we are called to take note of the person of Jesus and God’s pleasure towards him. Second, we are encouraged to consider how we can follow in Jesus’ footsteps and “make God happy” ourselves.

As we consider the second question, we should be encouraged by Peter’s words in the Acts passage. God does not show favouritism. This means that God’s approval can be dished out to gentiles as well as Jews. It means that God is pleased with all of God’s willing servants, not just Jesus.

It is also interesting to note that Jesus’ baptism took place at the beginning of his ministry. At this point in the story, Jesus had performed no miraculous healings that we know of. He had done nothing to “earn” God’s approval. God’s approval for Jesus was because he followed God’s call (Matthew 3). Jesus’ goodness and righteousness came after he was baptised and empowered by the Holy Spirit. This is why the Church does not expect anyone to prove their worth or earn the right to be baptised. Baptism is the reminder that God accepts all of us who are willing, before we do anything to try and live righteously.

Have we been at fault of trying to earn God’s approval by being righteous and doing good? How would our lives differ if we understood that God loves us and accepts us before we do anything to earn it? What if we began to see our lives as a response to God’s love and acceptance rather than a step in the process of earning it?

Communal Application

This week, the lectionary readings provide us with a good opportunity to reflect on the Sacrament of Baptism.

As we reflect on Jesus’ baptism, we are called to remember our own baptism into the Christian faith. Our baptism was a symbolic declaration that we are loved, welcomed and accepted by God. It is because of our baptism in water and the Spirit that we are able to stay connected to God and live lives that are empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Do our churches still teach about and encourage the Sacrament of Baptism? How often do we take time to remember our own baptisms and the significance of our baptisms in our walks of faith? How does reflecting on your baptism inspire you to live differently in the future?

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