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The 1st Sunday after the Epiphany (A) Texts: Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-17 January 9, 2005
FOLLOWING GOD'S VOICE “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” And with this miraculous voice from heaven, God himself settles the dispute. Who should baptize whom? Jesus comes to the river Jordan in order to be baptized and John says, “No, no, no, now wait a minute. It is I that should be baptized by you!” And in return Jesus says, “On the contrary, I think God wants us to do it this way.” And wouldn’t it be nice if all of our disputes would be settled this way…A voice from heaven to say [in effect], “You were right, and you were wrong.” Today way mark the event that marks the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry. The beginning of a three year period (three years according to the Gospel of Luke) that leads to Jerusalem and to his Christ’s torturous death on the cross. And isn’t it fitting that this is how it begins…with a controversy. I mean, it just doesn’t seem right, does it? Why did Jesus need this, John’s “baptism of repentance?” Why did he even want it? There is something wrong with this picture, and it has caused the Christian Church theologians a huge headache since the very beginning of the Church. Even John, himself, seems to think better of it! Now the interesting thing that I would like to point out to you this day is that our own discomfort is not found in Jesus. No, Jesus does not seem to be worried about it—or about the meaning that we might see in it—he (for some reason or another) just knows that this is the right thing for him to do—for him to be baptized by John—for it is the only way to “fulfill all righteousness.” Or you could say it is the only way for God’s will to be completed. Jesus is not concerned with appearances. In fact this is something about Jesus worth noting…He is the epitome of humility. In the gospels, Jesus almost never claims authority for himself. He never points to himself, saying “I am the messiah.” No. Instead, what makes Jesus so righteous is his way of recognizing/knowing God’s righteousness (God’s will). That is, Jesus is totally in tune with the will of God. He is not interested in making himself righteous—but is drawn to God’s righteousness—God’s will—God’s workings in the world (to the point that it can be said God’s righteousness, will, and workings are the same as his own). In the 21 chapter of the same Gospel (Matthew), Jesus is talking to the Chief Priests and Elders at the Temple about John the Baptist and hear what he says to them…”For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.” You see Jesus it drawn to John’s baptism because he sees in it the will or righteousness of God effecting change in the world. People, tax collectors and prostitutes are being called into this way…For this is what God does…calls us to a certain way of being. We heard in our first reading this morning from the prophet Isaiah, “I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness (that is I have called you in my gracious, saving activity). I have taken you by the hand and kept you…” Wow, what good news!!! That God takes us by the hand and leads us into righteousness!!! The really good news for us today (or perhaps the bad news if we are like the Chief Priests and Elders) is that it’s not about us! This is part of the good news that shapes Jesus entire ministry (from his baptism that we celebrate today…all the way to the way that he washes his own disciples feet in John). It doesn’t have to do with our own righteousness, or your superiority, or us going to heaven while they go to hell. That is just not what it’s all about. It’s not about who is more worthy to baptize who. It has to do with God’s righteousness, not our own—God’s proper ordering of this world—the way that God works to redeem. The idea for us is to acknowledge God and get out of the way. Or as Paul says, “The more I decrease the more God increases.” If you are a football fan, this becomes quite obvious as you see the great advantage unselfish players are. I’m not trying to pick a fight here, but perhaps a winning strategy for the Minnesota Vikings would be, “The more Randy Moss decreases, the more the Vikings increase!” Just a thought. Brothers and sisters, for centuries people have been trying to name Jesus Christ. Trying to label him—trying to describe him with words that he himself never put on himself. But Jesus’ goal was not to find a name or a title, but simply to follow the will of God revealed to him. It was in his following that it became apparent that he was indeed God’s anointed one…the messiah…the Lord. And Brothers and sisters, we have the same calling. We have been given, within our own baptism God’s free offer to walk in the way of righteousness in which God walks with us. Not only that , we have been given, within our baptism the promise of the Holy Spirit—the great teacher and guide—to help us distinguish which voices are indeed the voice of God. I leave you today with a blessing from Isaiah 30: …your teacher will not hide himself any more, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying “This is the way; walk in it.” And may this be so for us. Amen
-------------------- Joshua W. Magyar Pella Lutheran Church 418 W. Main Street Sidney, MT 59270
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