The Baptism Of Our Lord / Epiphany 1 / OT 1
Devotional
Water From the Well
Lectionary Devotional For Cycle A
Object:
... Let it be so for now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness....
-- Matthew 3:15
John was offering a baptism of repentance for sins. Jesus came to him and asked to be baptized. Why would Jesus need to experience a baptism of repentance? Being chosen did not set him above others but rather caused him to identify with people's struggle with the sin in their lives. Jesus entered into the water because that was where the people were. God, in Jesus Christ, came to us first so that we might come to him. He did it to "fulfill all righteousness." Righteousness carries the sense of right relationships. If we are in right relationship with God and neighbor, then the whole intention of the law and the prophets is fulfilled. Being in right relationship requires us to be willing to be vulnerable to the struggle of our neighbor. In Isaiah 42:1-9, where the prophet described the servant of God as filled with God's Spirit, he said of that servant, "A bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice." If someone stands outside the struggle and tells others what they should do, the result is a division rather than reconciliation. When Jesus acted to fulfill righteousness by entering into the struggle with the people, the Spirit of God alighted on him, and God affirmed him as God's Son. This is the one who pleased God.
-- Matthew 3:15
John was offering a baptism of repentance for sins. Jesus came to him and asked to be baptized. Why would Jesus need to experience a baptism of repentance? Being chosen did not set him above others but rather caused him to identify with people's struggle with the sin in their lives. Jesus entered into the water because that was where the people were. God, in Jesus Christ, came to us first so that we might come to him. He did it to "fulfill all righteousness." Righteousness carries the sense of right relationships. If we are in right relationship with God and neighbor, then the whole intention of the law and the prophets is fulfilled. Being in right relationship requires us to be willing to be vulnerable to the struggle of our neighbor. In Isaiah 42:1-9, where the prophet described the servant of God as filled with God's Spirit, he said of that servant, "A bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice." If someone stands outside the struggle and tells others what they should do, the result is a division rather than reconciliation. When Jesus acted to fulfill righteousness by entering into the struggle with the people, the Spirit of God alighted on him, and God affirmed him as God's Son. This is the one who pleased God.
