The Baptism Of Our Lord / Epiphany 1 / Ordinary Time 1
Preaching
Hear My Voice
Preaching The Lectionary Psalms for Cycles A, B, C
The references in this psalm to God's appearance in the storm are strongly reminiscent of the creation narrative. The idea of the "Lord enthroned over the flood" (v. 10), connects with the image of God's presence "brooding over the waters."
Raising these images in connection with the baptism of Jesus, however, provides an opportunity to not only expand our thinking about baptism, but about creation as well.
In the biblical narratives of creation, narratives that certainly rumble through this psalm, God unleashes his power against the great primeval deep. The chaos and nothingness of the mysterious "waters" come under the influence of God's creative powers. While the Bible does not support the later theological and philosophical concept of creation ex nihilo -- creation out of nothing -- it does affirm that great order and beauty emerged out of desperate chaos. God subdued the storm and harnessed the waters in order that life might be sustainable.
In the waters of baptism God engaged in another act of creative power. The storm of human violence and poverty and fear, stirred by corrupt politics and religion, cried out for redress. Into the swirling mix God sent Jesus. Into the waters of human misery God sent Jesus to offer order and beauty.
In the waters of Jesus' baptism, a mission and its method were made clear. Jesus heard the voice of the Lord as it thundered over the waters. Jesus heard the voice that called for order to emerge from chaos -- a call to him to be a Son in whom God delights.
In the chaos of world events, Jesus heard God singing Psalm 2: a coronation psalm heralding the anointing of a new king. Jesus also heard God singing the song of the suffering servant, the one who would heal with his own stripes and wounds.
"You are my Son, in whom my soul delights!"
These are the new words of a new world. These are words spoken in and over the waters that create and re-create life. These are the words that marked the beginning of the end of the chaos of human misery. These are the words of the new creation, made in the image of the Son, offered through an act of sacrificial love, and aimed at restoring every broken soul.
Out of the storm the Lord speaks. Above the waters the Lord thunders. Out of the waters and into the storm goes the Son on whom all our hope now rests.
-- J. E.
Raising these images in connection with the baptism of Jesus, however, provides an opportunity to not only expand our thinking about baptism, but about creation as well.
In the biblical narratives of creation, narratives that certainly rumble through this psalm, God unleashes his power against the great primeval deep. The chaos and nothingness of the mysterious "waters" come under the influence of God's creative powers. While the Bible does not support the later theological and philosophical concept of creation ex nihilo -- creation out of nothing -- it does affirm that great order and beauty emerged out of desperate chaos. God subdued the storm and harnessed the waters in order that life might be sustainable.
In the waters of baptism God engaged in another act of creative power. The storm of human violence and poverty and fear, stirred by corrupt politics and religion, cried out for redress. Into the swirling mix God sent Jesus. Into the waters of human misery God sent Jesus to offer order and beauty.
In the waters of Jesus' baptism, a mission and its method were made clear. Jesus heard the voice of the Lord as it thundered over the waters. Jesus heard the voice that called for order to emerge from chaos -- a call to him to be a Son in whom God delights.
In the chaos of world events, Jesus heard God singing Psalm 2: a coronation psalm heralding the anointing of a new king. Jesus also heard God singing the song of the suffering servant, the one who would heal with his own stripes and wounds.
"You are my Son, in whom my soul delights!"
These are the new words of a new world. These are words spoken in and over the waters that create and re-create life. These are the words that marked the beginning of the end of the chaos of human misery. These are the words of the new creation, made in the image of the Son, offered through an act of sacrificial love, and aimed at restoring every broken soul.
Out of the storm the Lord speaks. Above the waters the Lord thunders. Out of the waters and into the storm goes the Son on whom all our hope now rests.
-- J. E.
