Tuesday, January 5, 2016

1/10/16---You are my Beloved

Baptism of the Lord Sunday has come rather abruptly this year. Maybe I shouldn't feel bad about this, though, because the gospel of Luke goes from the birth of Christ, to the 12 year-old Jesus in the Temple, to Jesus' baptism as an adult, age 30. In our yearly liturgical journey, we leap forward to stories surrounding the birth of Jesus to his baptism in the Jordan as an adult. If you have heard or read how Jesus was baptized before, you might be privy to the subtle (and not so subtle) differences that the gospels of Matthew (3:13-17), Mark (1:4-11), and Luke (3: 15-17, 21-22) tell the tale. I have found it to be a rich practice to pay attention to the particularities of the way each evangelist tells the "same" old story. For me, it adds a freshness and depth to what is proclaimed.

Luke's account has a number of differences that are worth exploring. I invite you to read all 3 accounts this week in order to add a freshness and deepness to this important gospel story.

First, Luke includes an evocative intro phrase "the people were filled with expectation" and "questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah" (3:15, emphasis added). The people were hopeful for someone who could lead them out of their difficulties. This is such a recurring theme for people throughout history. I find this to be especially pertinent nowadays, as elections creep up, nations are fighting, and relations among us seem to be depleting in our very own country. We put our hope in people, as did those gathered there in Luke's scene.

Luke also inserts, in 3:19-20 just prior to the baptism, John's imprisonment by King Herod. Although this may be difficult to stomach, this does serve a couple of purposes. It gets John off the stage for the folks gathered there (he was not, ultimately, who they were to place their hope in, although many thought he was), just before Jesus is baptized and begins his ministry. John's work is done and Jesus' is just beginning. John's arrest adds a somber note to this joyful epiphany. It reminds us that there is a price to pay for those who proclaim the gospel. Those who are willing to proclaim the good news may not suffer John's fate, but it will be costly. Jesus' words "take up your cross and follow me" come to mind. These verses remind me that bringing glory to God is a real decision, and making decisions also means denying something else. John denied himself and helped to usher in Jesus' ministry.

Something that Luke does not do is show us Jesus' actual baptism. Instead, this gospel tells us of the events after them. Luke shows us that the heavens opened up while Jesus was praying. This shifts the epiphany from the act of being baptized to the practice of prayer. Jesus prayed a lot (A LOT), as the gospel of Luke shows us throughout. What is begun in baptism is lived out through the practice of prayer by which one receives the Holy Spirit; this is what the Church continues. 

Once again, Luke adds language that makes this account unique. The addition of "in bodily form" to Mark's descending of the Holy Spirit on Jesus "like a dove" emphasizes the paradoxical reality of this spiritual experience: it is tangible, yet elusive and indefinable. I know that I feel that way when I feel Holy Spirit is with me. I know it, but I can't quite describe it.

I love the words Jesus heard from heaven "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." What a powerful affirmation! An affirmation like this, whether we hear it from God, a friend, significant other, or parent, we are strengthened in identity and feel empowered to act in accordance with that identity. And the good news is that in Christ, we are all the Beloved.

In Christ,

Jack


I am indebted to Ernest Hess, who is a contributor to "Feasting on the Word," for providing a homiletical approach to this text in the book

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