Loving God, just as you declared Jesus to be your beloved Son at his baptism, so you claim us as your beloved children. Help us to know that we are beloved, and reveal the power of your Holy Spirit through our lives, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus did not need to be baptized. He did not need the baptism that John was offering, which involved repentance and the forgiveness of sins. Jesus had no sins from which to repent and did not need to be forgiven. Yet, at the same time, Jesus did need to be baptized. It was God’s will for him and would fulfill all righteousness. It was the beginning of Christian baptism and the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. It was part of Jesus’ identification with sinners and part of his experience of what it means to be human.

Jesus’ baptism involved both visible and audible confirmation of what was, in fact, already true. The Holy Spirit was upon Jesus – he was filled with the Spirit’s power. At the same time, Jesus is God’s beloved Son, and God is well pleased with him. It is a confirmation of Jesus’ identity, his mission, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is quite possible that the human Jesus needed this confirmation. He needed to know that he was beloved and filled with the Holy Spirit. This gave him strength for the trials that were ahead.

It is a pattern that is repeated whenever somebody is baptized into Christ. At Jesus’ baptism, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all present. It is the same when we are baptized. At Jesus’ baptism, he was fulfilling all righteousness – doing what God requires. We do the same when we are baptized, for it is commanded by Christ for all who would be disciples (Mt. 28:19). At Jesus’ baptism, there were both audible and visual reminders of who he is. Jesus was declared God’s Son. We are declared God’s children. Jesus was declared to be beloved. We are declared to be beloved. Jesus saw the Spirit of God descending on him like a dove. We see the water that is poured, the sign of the cross made on our forehead and the light of Christ that is passed on to us. Finally, for Jesus, baptism marked the beginning of his ministry. For us, too, baptism is where we are set apart for ministry – called to be servants for the sake of Christ.

This may be a lot to take in all at once, so let’s try to focus on one thing at a time. This business of being declared God’s beloved might require a little bit of time in order to sink in. We all know that Jesus was declared to be “the Beloved,” but how many of us really believe that God would declare us to be the same? In fact, when was the last time that anybody called you “beloved”?

It’s a term that frequently appears in Paul’s letters, sometimes as a phrase which is literally “beloved of God.” An example would be, “To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints” (Rom. 1:7). -- To all God’s beloved at St. Luke’s Zion, who are called to be saints! – God’s beloved are those who have been reconciled to God through Christ, which happens in baptism. God’s beloved have received the Holy Spirit and have believed the message of the gospel (1 Th. 1:4-5). God’s beloved are chosen and holy (Col. 3:12).

We are God’s beloved children, and we have been given the Holy Spirit. Every single one of you who has ever been baptized or confirmed has had somebody lay their hands on your head and pray for the Holy Spirit. We have received the gift of the Holy Spirit. The question is, have we used it? Every single one of us has been given gifts and set apart by the Spirit for service to others. Sometimes it is only by trial and error that we discover what those gifts are. Yet, we are assured in the Scriptures that different gifts are given to different people for the good of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12).

The challenge for most of us is to actually step out in faith and allow the Holy Spirit to work through us. For many of us, we don’t really receive confirmation of the Spirit’s presence and power until we venture out of our comfort zones in order to engage in ministry. For some people, that might mean teaching a class or leading a group. For others, it might mean heading down to the Lutheran Urban Ministry or some similar place and getting involved as a volunteer. For some people, it might be something like ushering or assisting with communion or reading the lessons or singing in the choir that puts them out of their comfort zone. For others, it might mean visiting those who are sick or shut-in. Still others might be presented with opportunities where they can speak to others about their faith.

All of these are opportunities for us to see the Spirit’s power at work. As I look back over some of my own experiences on this journey of faith, the times when I have been most aware of the power of the Holy Spirit have been when I am engaged in something which I cannot do on my own. As a pastor, that really applies to most things, but it is especially true in preaching. There are always weeks that come along where I really don’t have any sermon ideas and sometimes just don’t feel like writing anything. However, when a sermon emerges that still speaks to somebody from God’s heart, that is the Holy Spirit at work!

There does not have to be a dramatic speaking in tongues. There do not have to be miraculous healings performed. Although the Holy Spirit is quite capable of giving these gifts, many others are given, as well – some more obvious than others. The heavens may not have opened and you may not have seen a dove coming down, but you have been given the Holy Spirit. The challenge that is given to each one of us today is to step out in faith and make use of the gifts that we have been given.

Of course, we are also challenged today to remember whose we are, and in that knowledge to be strengthened for whatever trials might lie ahead for us. You might recall that in the gospels there are two different occasions on which the voice speaks from heaven and declares Jesus to be God’s Beloved Son. The first time this happens is at Jesus’ baptism, and the second time is at his transfiguration. Each time, there are trials that follow. Immediately following his baptism, Jesus is tempted in the wilderness and then begins his public ministry. Then, following his transfiguration on the mountain top, Jesus faces his impending suffering and death. The reminders that Jesus is beloved and that he is filled with the Holy Spirit strengthen him for what lies ahead.

Now, for us, our trials are not nearly as earth-shaking as those experienced by Jesus. In fact, I would not wish such trials upon anybody! However, as long as we live in this world, there will be challenges and trials that come upon us. It seems to me that the people who know that they are beloved and know that the Holy Spirit is upon them are the ones who are strong even when they are weak (2 Cor. 12:10).

And so, remember that you are God’s beloved child. Remember that you have been given the Holy Spirit. Remember, and be strengthened in your faith and life. Remember, and go out with good courage to serve in the name of Christ. Amen.

The Baptism of Our Lord (A) Matthew 3:13-17
January 13, 2008
St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church
Pastor Lynne Hutchison Moore

© 2008 Lynne Hutchison Moore All Rights Reserved