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DEVOTIONAL
OPENING PRAYER
O God, sovereign Lord over all creation, without whom all purposes are futile, grant me today the assistance of your Spirit. In all the surprises and changes of life, may I fix my heart upon you, so that your eternal purposes may be fixed in me. In the name of Jesus, who came to make your eternal purposes clear. AMEN.
INTRODUCTION
This week’s scripture is Luke’s account of the Baptism of Jesus. Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-12, and Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 share similar accounts. John’s gospel does not record the baptism but reports John the Baptists endorsement of Jesus as recognition of Jesus as the Lamb of God. The baptism of Jesus is significant as it is reported in all the Gospels and Jesus instructs disciples to Baptize other disciples in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19.) Why does Jesus need to be baptized if he is the Son of God? Let’s read the text.
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 NIV
15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
REFLECTION
Jesus receives baptism from John in obedience to God and as a sign to all of us – not to become the Son of God. John was baptizing for the repentance of sins, repeating an ancient Jewish practice of cleansing and renewal. This tradition still applies to Christian baptism. Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire which is more powerful and complete. Our relationship to God is fundamentally changed – renewed.
In 2008 the General Conference of the UMC adopted a Baptismal document which says, “John Wesley retained the sacramental theology which he received from his Anglican heritage. He taught that in baptism a child was cleansed of the guilt of original sin, initiated into the covenant with God, admitted into the Church, made an heir of the divine kingdom, and spiritually born anew. He said that while baptism was neither essential to nor sufficient for salvation, it was the “ordinary means” that God designated for applying the benefits of the work of Christ in human lives. On the other hand, although he affirmed the regenerating grace of infant baptism, he also insisted upon the necessity of adult conversion for those who have fallen from grace. A person who matures into moral accountability must respond to God’s grace in repentance and faith. Without personal decision and commitment to Christ, the baptismal gift is rendered ineffective.
Baptism for Wesley, therefore, was a part of the lifelong process of salvation. He saw spiritual rebirth as a twofold experience in the normal process of Christian development - to be received through baptism in infancy and through commitment to Christ later in life. Salvation included both God’s initiating activity of grace and a willing human response. (excerpted from By Water and Spirit.)
This weekend we will celebrate a Reaffirmation of Baptism in worship. We will reaffirm our Baptismal vows and recommit ourselves to our discipleship of Jesus. The altar will be open for prayer and reflection and we will remember our baptisms and give thanks.
Baptism is available to anyone of any age. If someone has not been baptized already as a child or youth, after consultation and instruction with the Pastor that person can be baptized and confirmed. Baptism is important as it is an outward and visible sign or an inward and spiritual grace given by God to the believer. We will celebrate God’s gift to us and reaffirm our discipleship in the new year.
CLOSING PRAYER
And now, my Lord, as I return to the duties of life, let me go in the confidence of your protection that I may come to the end of this day in peace and happiness. AMEN.
Blessings,
Pastor Tom
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