The Baptism Of Our Lord
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII, Cycle B
The Baptism Of Our Lord
First Sunday After The Epiphany
First Sunday In Ordinary Time
Revised Common
Genesis 1:1-5
Acts 19:1-7
Mark 1:4-11
Roman Catholic
Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Acts 10:34-38
Mark 1:7-11
Episcopal
Isaiah 42:1-9
Acts 10:34-38
Mark 1:7-11
Seasonal Theme
Jesus grows up and it begins to dawn on some who and what he is.
Theme For The Day
Jesus' baptism and the beginning of his public ministry.
Old Testament Lesson
Genesis 1:1-5
The First Day
God's first creative action is to produce light. Out of chaos and darkness is created light and it's the very first day. In our scripture, the dark and light are always symbolic of evil and good. Israel would think in these terms -- that God is light. The Hebrew bara, which is translated as "created," is only used in the Old Testament to refer to God's activity. Questions about the origin of chaos, God's activity before creation, and whether creation was out of nothing, are really unimportant to this story. On the first Sunday of Epiphany it's the light and darkness that pertains, as does order out of chaos.
New Testament Lesson
Acts 19:1-7
Baptism In The Holy Spirit
Here we have the story of Paul at Ephesus re-baptizing twelve disciples who had been baptized in John's name rather than that of Jesus. It's a good reminder for us on the day of "The Baptism of our Lord" that John's baptism was one of repentance (v. 4) and not of Jesus Christ. So we must be careful as we consider John's baptism of Jesus in the Jordan and remember that this was not Christian baptism. Jesus had not yet gone to the cross and worked the atonement for us. These twelve were likely members of a sect of John the Baptist. Paul now has the Apostolic power to give the Holy Spirit. And the proof of this is the speaking in tongues and prophesying (v. 6).
The Gospel
Mark 1:4-11
Jesus' Baptism By Cousin John
The real beginning of the Gospel story is this event when cousin John baptizes Jesus in the Jordan. Mark doesn't seem to be interested in what Jesus did before this time. We ought not make too much out of John's apparel. It was simply that of an ascetic of the day. The same garb was used of Elijah in 2 Kings 1:8. Eating locusts and wild honey was the common diet of the poor Bedouins. The origins of Christian baptism are obscure. We really don't know whether Jesus practiced water baptism or not. John says in 3:22 and 4:1 that he did. But in 4:2 it is denied! We don't believe he needed it from John for forgiveness of sin. Matthew tries to deal with this problem in Matthew 3:14-15. Perhaps the best we can say is in this experience Jesus became aware of who he was and was convinced of his mission on earth.
Preaching Possibilities
The customary baptisms which take place on this day in many parishes will probably dictate that we go with the Gospel story. If not, both the Old Testament and the New Testament Readings can stand alone.
The Old Testament could go with the major theme that our God is able to make order out of chaos. God did in creation, God did in bringing Jesus into the world, and God still does by giving us God's presence through the Holy Spirit.
There is a novel approach to the New Testament Reading. We can tell the story of the twelve and then ask if the Holy Spirit is a part of our baptismal life -- or how incomplete is our baptism if we have never taken it any further than an initiatory rite and cute name-giving ceremony. The whole idea of infant baptism being affirmed (confirmed) in the rite of "affirmation of baptism" may be addressed. Or, perhaps, it's an opportunity to talk about the Holy Spirit. We might even write a letter from Paul to twelve in our congregation asking them about their baptism and their discipleship afterward -- as the sermon for the day.
Putting the three readings together would be tougher. It might outline this way:
A. Old Testament Lesson -- God creates light out of darkness.
B. New Testament Reading -- Paul conveys that light through the Holy Spirit.
C. The Gospel -- Jesus becomes that light to the very dark world and to us.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
A. Introduction: Retell the story of John's baptism of Jesus.
B. Text: Read Mark 1:11 to complete the retelling.
C. Moves:
1. This was a time of resoluteness for Jesus and can be for us and our baptism as well.
2. This was a time of recognition for Jesus and can be for us and our baptism as well.
3. This was a time of benediction for Jesus and can be for us and our baptism as well.
D. This was a time of empowering for Jesus and can be for us and our baptism as well. Notice the Spirit is like a dove, the symbol of gentleness and peace. Oh, how we need be empowered with this Spirit for our ministries yet today.
E. A story or hymn between each of the above four moves will help drive home the truth.
Prayer For The Day
Creator of all the universe, who called order out of chaos and light from darkness, bring your Holy Spirit on us as Paul did in Ephesus and as you did at your son's baptism in the Jordan. And, as you did for him, affirm and empower us in our daily ministry where we work, live, and play. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
Former Bishop Blevins announced at the funeral of his 24-year-old son who had committed suicide: "Today we will claim Bob's baptism."
We do remain God's child regardless of our behavior.
On the road to Calmar, Iowa, a front yard had ice all over shrubs, grass, everything. This was April 19. Someone had left the lawn sprinkler on overnight and all had frozen into ice.
Could we scatter the water of Baptism like that? And let it plainly show and look beautiful?
When we moved from Des Moines to Berkeley, California, every single item had a tag fastened to it with its own number. It's Mayflower's system in case something gets lost along the way. There is a lot number and individual number for each item. As we moved into the President's mansion, every piece was checked off as received. Would that we could be so diligent in tracking and keeping from losing every one of the baptized!
Gregg Davidson of Trinity Lutheran Church, Marshalltown, Iowa, came to our observance of the "Baptism of our Lord." We all made name tags which gave our name and date and place of our baptism. Gregg forgot to remove it and went next to Vets Auditorium for a basketball game. He said everyone was so friendly and even called him by name! At our Baptism we are named and we join into a worldwide family of God.
Note: Today we begin using Corinthians for the Second Reading. It proceeds fairly in order of the two books. Here is a little background about these two letters of Paul written to a congregation with which he struggled:
Corinth, a wealthy trading center, is located in Southern Greece and was well known for its vice in the ancient world. According to the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, "The letter revolves around a series of problems in Christian conduct permeating the church at Corinth. Thus it deals with progressive sanctification, the continuing development of holiness and character."
First Sunday After The Epiphany
First Sunday In Ordinary Time
Revised Common
Genesis 1:1-5
Acts 19:1-7
Mark 1:4-11
Roman Catholic
Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Acts 10:34-38
Mark 1:7-11
Episcopal
Isaiah 42:1-9
Acts 10:34-38
Mark 1:7-11
Seasonal Theme
Jesus grows up and it begins to dawn on some who and what he is.
Theme For The Day
Jesus' baptism and the beginning of his public ministry.
Old Testament Lesson
Genesis 1:1-5
The First Day
God's first creative action is to produce light. Out of chaos and darkness is created light and it's the very first day. In our scripture, the dark and light are always symbolic of evil and good. Israel would think in these terms -- that God is light. The Hebrew bara, which is translated as "created," is only used in the Old Testament to refer to God's activity. Questions about the origin of chaos, God's activity before creation, and whether creation was out of nothing, are really unimportant to this story. On the first Sunday of Epiphany it's the light and darkness that pertains, as does order out of chaos.
New Testament Lesson
Acts 19:1-7
Baptism In The Holy Spirit
Here we have the story of Paul at Ephesus re-baptizing twelve disciples who had been baptized in John's name rather than that of Jesus. It's a good reminder for us on the day of "The Baptism of our Lord" that John's baptism was one of repentance (v. 4) and not of Jesus Christ. So we must be careful as we consider John's baptism of Jesus in the Jordan and remember that this was not Christian baptism. Jesus had not yet gone to the cross and worked the atonement for us. These twelve were likely members of a sect of John the Baptist. Paul now has the Apostolic power to give the Holy Spirit. And the proof of this is the speaking in tongues and prophesying (v. 6).
The Gospel
Mark 1:4-11
Jesus' Baptism By Cousin John
The real beginning of the Gospel story is this event when cousin John baptizes Jesus in the Jordan. Mark doesn't seem to be interested in what Jesus did before this time. We ought not make too much out of John's apparel. It was simply that of an ascetic of the day. The same garb was used of Elijah in 2 Kings 1:8. Eating locusts and wild honey was the common diet of the poor Bedouins. The origins of Christian baptism are obscure. We really don't know whether Jesus practiced water baptism or not. John says in 3:22 and 4:1 that he did. But in 4:2 it is denied! We don't believe he needed it from John for forgiveness of sin. Matthew tries to deal with this problem in Matthew 3:14-15. Perhaps the best we can say is in this experience Jesus became aware of who he was and was convinced of his mission on earth.
Preaching Possibilities
The customary baptisms which take place on this day in many parishes will probably dictate that we go with the Gospel story. If not, both the Old Testament and the New Testament Readings can stand alone.
The Old Testament could go with the major theme that our God is able to make order out of chaos. God did in creation, God did in bringing Jesus into the world, and God still does by giving us God's presence through the Holy Spirit.
There is a novel approach to the New Testament Reading. We can tell the story of the twelve and then ask if the Holy Spirit is a part of our baptismal life -- or how incomplete is our baptism if we have never taken it any further than an initiatory rite and cute name-giving ceremony. The whole idea of infant baptism being affirmed (confirmed) in the rite of "affirmation of baptism" may be addressed. Or, perhaps, it's an opportunity to talk about the Holy Spirit. We might even write a letter from Paul to twelve in our congregation asking them about their baptism and their discipleship afterward -- as the sermon for the day.
Putting the three readings together would be tougher. It might outline this way:
A. Old Testament Lesson -- God creates light out of darkness.
B. New Testament Reading -- Paul conveys that light through the Holy Spirit.
C. The Gospel -- Jesus becomes that light to the very dark world and to us.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
A. Introduction: Retell the story of John's baptism of Jesus.
B. Text: Read Mark 1:11 to complete the retelling.
C. Moves:
1. This was a time of resoluteness for Jesus and can be for us and our baptism as well.
2. This was a time of recognition for Jesus and can be for us and our baptism as well.
3. This was a time of benediction for Jesus and can be for us and our baptism as well.
D. This was a time of empowering for Jesus and can be for us and our baptism as well. Notice the Spirit is like a dove, the symbol of gentleness and peace. Oh, how we need be empowered with this Spirit for our ministries yet today.
E. A story or hymn between each of the above four moves will help drive home the truth.
Prayer For The Day
Creator of all the universe, who called order out of chaos and light from darkness, bring your Holy Spirit on us as Paul did in Ephesus and as you did at your son's baptism in the Jordan. And, as you did for him, affirm and empower us in our daily ministry where we work, live, and play. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
Former Bishop Blevins announced at the funeral of his 24-year-old son who had committed suicide: "Today we will claim Bob's baptism."
We do remain God's child regardless of our behavior.
On the road to Calmar, Iowa, a front yard had ice all over shrubs, grass, everything. This was April 19. Someone had left the lawn sprinkler on overnight and all had frozen into ice.
Could we scatter the water of Baptism like that? And let it plainly show and look beautiful?
When we moved from Des Moines to Berkeley, California, every single item had a tag fastened to it with its own number. It's Mayflower's system in case something gets lost along the way. There is a lot number and individual number for each item. As we moved into the President's mansion, every piece was checked off as received. Would that we could be so diligent in tracking and keeping from losing every one of the baptized!
Gregg Davidson of Trinity Lutheran Church, Marshalltown, Iowa, came to our observance of the "Baptism of our Lord." We all made name tags which gave our name and date and place of our baptism. Gregg forgot to remove it and went next to Vets Auditorium for a basketball game. He said everyone was so friendly and even called him by name! At our Baptism we are named and we join into a worldwide family of God.
Note: Today we begin using Corinthians for the Second Reading. It proceeds fairly in order of the two books. Here is a little background about these two letters of Paul written to a congregation with which he struggled:
Corinth, a wealthy trading center, is located in Southern Greece and was well known for its vice in the ancient world. According to the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, "The letter revolves around a series of problems in Christian conduct permeating the church at Corinth. Thus it deals with progressive sanctification, the continuing development of holiness and character."
