The Baptism Of The Lord
Devotional
Streams of Living Water
Lectionary Devotional for Cycle B
Object:
Genesis 1:1-5
Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.
-- Genesis 1:3
If you have ever experienced total darkness, you know how disorienting it can be. We depend on light, even a little light, to give us a sense of direction. In the midst of chaos, God seems to merely speak a word and light splits the darkness. Later, in the gospel of John, the author imitates this hymn by starting his gospel with the words, "In the beginning" and then goes on to speak of the Word of God as the light that "was the light of all people. The light shines in darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it" (John 1:4-5). Again a word split the darkness. There are many people who live in the darkness. They seem to be disoriented, and their lives appear to be utter chaos. There are moments in our own lives when we feel the same way.
In response to moments of chaos in his life, Luther is reported to have repeated over and over to himself, "I am baptized." It reminded him that he was claimed by God and therefore a person of dignity and worth. As you think about the baptism of Jesus in this season, consider how God's claiming you, as God did Jesus at his baptism, makes you worthy to be called a child of God (John 1:12). If by grace you are a child of God, then how does that alter your response to the experiences of darkness in your life? Consider also how such a belief would be a great gift to those who hunger after direction in their own lives. Baptism is an impetus to sharing the good news with others.
Psalm 29
Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name.
-- Psalm 29:2a
Psalm 29 could well be a reflection on the doxology, "For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory." The imagery in the psalm is that of a powerful storm that sweeps over land and water. The thunder (v. 3) and lightning (v. 4) and driving winds (v. 5) evoke a response of awe and humility. Witnessing such a storm reminds one of the awesome power of God that makes the oft-used symbols of power -- the cedars of Lebanon (v. 6) and the great oaks (v. 9) -- seem like mere playthings. This exhibition of power evokes a response from both the heavenly beings (v. 1) and those in the temple (v. 9). Cry glory. To glorify God is to acknowledge the incomparable contrast between our earthly symbols of power and the reality of God. The storm is but a metaphor that reminds us that we have not begun to probe the dimensions of God's majesty. The flood is a symbol of chaos, yet God sits enthroned over it (v. 10). There are no limits to God's kingdom, power, and glory (v. 10). Recognizing that, all we can do is petition God for strength and peace (v. 11) knowing that in the end our strength and peace come from the one who holds all power, glory, and majesty in his hand.
Pause to reflect on the awesome power of God hat makes all other powers in this world seem like mere playthings.
Acts 19:1-7
Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?
--Acts 19:2
This question by Paul has taken on a contemporary meaning with the rise of the Pentecostal movement. Many mainline Christians are immediately put on the defensive when someone asks if they have been baptized with the Holy Spirit. This is especially true for those who were baptized as infants and have no memory of the event. It is important to follow the sequence of events in this story. Paul discovered twelve believers in Ephesus and asked them this question. John's baptism, as he made clear, was a baptism of repentance. The baptism of repentance was a moral decision to turn from one way of life and to start off in a new direction. It was necessary preparation in order to "believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus" (v. 4).
Yet there is more to the faith than a decision to repent. You must also be open to God's Spirit that can open you to God's renewal in your life. Preparation comes first but then comes surrender to the guidance of the Spirit in your life. The problem with assuming that an ethical decision to change your way of living is sufficient is that it leaves you open to the temptation of self-righteously judging others who have not done what you did. To be baptized in Jesus' name is to receive the Spirit of Christ who came to proclaim God's forgiveness and release people from judgment.
At Pentecost, the believers spoke in tongues that enabled them to overcome the divisions of the world and be reconciled in Jesus' name. It is an appropriate time to ask yourself whether your life is guided by guilt or grace. Judgment separates, but grace reconciles.
Mark 1:4-11
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
-- Mark 1:4
In the dark moments of our lives, it is easy to grow bitter at the misfortunes that have befallen us. In our pain we become the center of the universe by which all reality is judged. If an event or situation affects us positively, then it is good. If it affects us negatively, then it is bad. Sin is a rebellion against God based on our self-centeredness. Repentance is a turning from such self-centeredness and opening ourselves to the creative Spirit of God. Instead of nurturing our wounds in the darkness, repentance is allowing God's light to illumine our darkness. Repentance is shifting focus from self to God. John was a prophet who preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus was a man who opened himself to the Spirit of God and therefore allowed God to be the center of his life. When he did so by presenting himself for a baptism of repentance, God responded by saying, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased" (v. 11).
As you reflect on the baptism of Jesus and recognize the humility of not regarding "... equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself ..." (Philippians 2:6b-7a), consider how it might shape your day if you considered each action in light of God's purpose rather than how it affected you. It is a radical act to shift the center of the universe from your ego to that of God's will.
Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.
-- Genesis 1:3
If you have ever experienced total darkness, you know how disorienting it can be. We depend on light, even a little light, to give us a sense of direction. In the midst of chaos, God seems to merely speak a word and light splits the darkness. Later, in the gospel of John, the author imitates this hymn by starting his gospel with the words, "In the beginning" and then goes on to speak of the Word of God as the light that "was the light of all people. The light shines in darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it" (John 1:4-5). Again a word split the darkness. There are many people who live in the darkness. They seem to be disoriented, and their lives appear to be utter chaos. There are moments in our own lives when we feel the same way.
In response to moments of chaos in his life, Luther is reported to have repeated over and over to himself, "I am baptized." It reminded him that he was claimed by God and therefore a person of dignity and worth. As you think about the baptism of Jesus in this season, consider how God's claiming you, as God did Jesus at his baptism, makes you worthy to be called a child of God (John 1:12). If by grace you are a child of God, then how does that alter your response to the experiences of darkness in your life? Consider also how such a belief would be a great gift to those who hunger after direction in their own lives. Baptism is an impetus to sharing the good news with others.
Psalm 29
Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name.
-- Psalm 29:2a
Psalm 29 could well be a reflection on the doxology, "For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory." The imagery in the psalm is that of a powerful storm that sweeps over land and water. The thunder (v. 3) and lightning (v. 4) and driving winds (v. 5) evoke a response of awe and humility. Witnessing such a storm reminds one of the awesome power of God that makes the oft-used symbols of power -- the cedars of Lebanon (v. 6) and the great oaks (v. 9) -- seem like mere playthings. This exhibition of power evokes a response from both the heavenly beings (v. 1) and those in the temple (v. 9). Cry glory. To glorify God is to acknowledge the incomparable contrast between our earthly symbols of power and the reality of God. The storm is but a metaphor that reminds us that we have not begun to probe the dimensions of God's majesty. The flood is a symbol of chaos, yet God sits enthroned over it (v. 10). There are no limits to God's kingdom, power, and glory (v. 10). Recognizing that, all we can do is petition God for strength and peace (v. 11) knowing that in the end our strength and peace come from the one who holds all power, glory, and majesty in his hand.
Pause to reflect on the awesome power of God hat makes all other powers in this world seem like mere playthings.
Acts 19:1-7
Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?
--Acts 19:2
This question by Paul has taken on a contemporary meaning with the rise of the Pentecostal movement. Many mainline Christians are immediately put on the defensive when someone asks if they have been baptized with the Holy Spirit. This is especially true for those who were baptized as infants and have no memory of the event. It is important to follow the sequence of events in this story. Paul discovered twelve believers in Ephesus and asked them this question. John's baptism, as he made clear, was a baptism of repentance. The baptism of repentance was a moral decision to turn from one way of life and to start off in a new direction. It was necessary preparation in order to "believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus" (v. 4).
Yet there is more to the faith than a decision to repent. You must also be open to God's Spirit that can open you to God's renewal in your life. Preparation comes first but then comes surrender to the guidance of the Spirit in your life. The problem with assuming that an ethical decision to change your way of living is sufficient is that it leaves you open to the temptation of self-righteously judging others who have not done what you did. To be baptized in Jesus' name is to receive the Spirit of Christ who came to proclaim God's forgiveness and release people from judgment.
At Pentecost, the believers spoke in tongues that enabled them to overcome the divisions of the world and be reconciled in Jesus' name. It is an appropriate time to ask yourself whether your life is guided by guilt or grace. Judgment separates, but grace reconciles.
Mark 1:4-11
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
-- Mark 1:4
In the dark moments of our lives, it is easy to grow bitter at the misfortunes that have befallen us. In our pain we become the center of the universe by which all reality is judged. If an event or situation affects us positively, then it is good. If it affects us negatively, then it is bad. Sin is a rebellion against God based on our self-centeredness. Repentance is a turning from such self-centeredness and opening ourselves to the creative Spirit of God. Instead of nurturing our wounds in the darkness, repentance is allowing God's light to illumine our darkness. Repentance is shifting focus from self to God. John was a prophet who preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus was a man who opened himself to the Spirit of God and therefore allowed God to be the center of his life. When he did so by presenting himself for a baptism of repentance, God responded by saying, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased" (v. 11).
As you reflect on the baptism of Jesus and recognize the humility of not regarding "... equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself ..." (Philippians 2:6b-7a), consider how it might shape your day if you considered each action in light of God's purpose rather than how it affected you. It is a radical act to shift the center of the universe from your ego to that of God's will.
