Sermon – Baptismal Identity Rev. Sandy Lacey Baptism of the Lord Sunday 011225
Many baptism stories are good and memorable. Our sons, Paul and Patrick were baptized on the same day and year when Paul was two years old and Patrick was about 6 weeks old. One was quiet, keenly observant, and compliant . . . the other was not. I am sure most of you can remember a baptism that included screaming and squirming. I am convinced that squirmers during baptism are more characteristic of who we are as we live out our baptismal calling. Most of us find it difficult to be quietly obedient to our new identity in Christ. Alfredo was a young boy, maybe about 10 years of age, who lived in Mexico.[1] His parents were killed in a horrible fire that left him homeless, without a family, and deeply scarred both internally and externally on his face and body. Because of his severe disfigurement, he was forced to find kindness where he could and often had to beg for his food. One day in his wanderings he happened upon a small community of children who lived in a catholic orphanage. The children seemed happy to him and Alfredo began to have a real yearning for such a home. So, one day when the Priest was outside of the orphanage for a walk, Alfredo approached him and asked if he could be part of the community. The Priest looked at his badly disfigured face and responded that he would have to ask the other children. The other children would have to see him and make the decision. So, Alfredo followed the Priest and stood in front of the children beside the Priest while the Priest asked them if they would be willing to have Alfredo join them. There is a definite pregnant pause as the children all look at him . . . and then one child comes forward and says to Alfredo, “mi hermano (“my brother”) and took him by the hand to share his resources with him. It is a touching story filled with all kinds of questions like, “why would the Priest leave the decision to the children?” What may surprise you about this story is that it is an old movie, entitled “Baptism: The Sacrament of Belonging.” The community was asked a question. They had to agree to make room for Alfredo and they had to agree to share their resources with him. The old movie reminds us that baptism is more than an individual response; it involves a communal response. When we baptize in the Presbyterian church, the congregation is asked to make promises to care for and nurture the one being baptized, whether child, adolescent, or adult. Perpetua was a Christian who lived in the second century.[2] You may remember that early Christianity was a time of great persecution. She was a catechumen, meaning she was undergoing the instruction required before her baptism. She, a pregnant woman, and a few other catechumens (men and women) were captured by the authorities. Her father had political influence and talked with her about saving her life for the benefit of her unborn child. Perpetua delivered her child while in prison and she was offered the option to recant her belief that Jesus is Lord so that she could save her life and be with her child. In response, she hands over her young infant to her father; she refuses to recant her belief and she is subsequently tortured to death by wild beasts in an arena. She describes her tortuous decision in her journal, saying that the baptism she had been preparing for will now be a baptism by blood. Jesus’ story is another story of baptism, and our story today is found in the Gospel of Luke. Luke’s Gospel is the only one that indicates Jesus is being baptized with others. We cannot help but wonder why Luke emphasizes that point. And we also wonder why God’s Son chose to be baptized at all. Prior to today’s passage in Luke, John the Baptizer preached a message of repentance to all, and he encouraged them to be baptized following their repentance. So, standing in line with the repentant sinners to be baptized was Jesus. Did Jesus do this as an act of obedience, as some other Gospels report? Or was it an act of solidarity with all the broken, damaged, and sinful people of the world? Perhaps Jesus is demonstrating his human identity and his choice to rely upon God’s help. As we consider our own baptism, do we as individuals and as a church follow Jesus’ example and identify with the broken people in our midst? Are we willing to get in line with the broken, damaged, and sinful people of the world or do we use our baptism to separate ourselves from others? And do we acknowledge our need to rely upon God? In our Reformed tradition, we do not see the sacrament of baptism as absolutely essential for salvation. It is a sign and a seal of what we already know to be true, that we belong to God, that God knew us from the beginning (as the passage from Isaiah says), that God forgives our sins, and calls us to service. Baptism is no light thing. We tend to see and remember only the sweet stuff – an adult who finally recognizes God’s love and claims it or perhaps a wriggling baby who cries as she is grafted into the community of faith. But there are heavier things in the air here. You make promises to that child/to that adult, that come hell or high water, you will not abandon them; and you will nurture them through words and example in the faith. And as baptized adults you are asked every time we baptize to remember your own baptism and to examine your life to determine how you are living out your calling. Again, it is no light thing. You are adopted into the community of faith at your baptism but with that adoption, comes responsibility. You must be willing to share your resources; you must give of your time and talent, and your obedience becomes prioritized over your convenience. Jesus responds to his baptism with prayer in Luke’s version. We would do well to remember that we are not islands, making our mark on our own in this great big world. No, we are utterly dependent upon God for guidance, direction, grace, and forgiveness. Similarly, we are interdependent upon each other in this community of faith as we seek together to carry out our calling as baptized disciples here in Rockledge. It is only through prayer and obedience that Jesus (and I submit we) hear the affirmation, “You are my child, whom I love; in you I am well pleased.” These are life-giving words, words that all need to hear, and words that will sustain Jesus when he leaves the baptism to encounter temptation, and still later, persecution. Jesus will form a community to be with him in his ministry. So, prayer, obedience, and community make the difference for Jesus, and it makes the difference for us too. We need prayer, obedience, and community as well so that we might hear the same life-giving words of “You are my child, whom I love; in you I am well pleased” as we leave this sanctuary to encounter temptation and trial. The Prophet Isaiah puts it this way: “you are precious, honored, and loved by God and God has called you by name. And this calling, this love and presence of God is irrevocable.” You may sin and do what is wrong in God’s sight, but you will remain forever God’s child. I have said this before and I say it again. Baptism is the most radical thing we do as a church because in it we declare that this child/this adult has their identity in God and in God alone. We may hear all manner of things as we grow in life. We may think our identity lies in our families, in our jobs, in our salaries, in the athletics we are able to do, in our politics, in the houses and cars we purchase, in our education, in the wealth or political office we hold, in whatever club we are part of, etc.; but I am telling you otherwise. Isaiah is telling you otherwise. Jesus is telling you otherwise. Instead, you are God’s child, precious, loved, and honored. And it is not just an individual thing. Rockledge Presbyterian has our identity in God, not in budgets, not in the number of Christian Education classes, not in its Pastor, nor in its membership. Our identity is in Christ – precious, loved, and honored, and called to service. Friends, this is good news for you and for me. For when we are confused and think our lives are at an end because we can no longer run marathons or no longer work the same job we have always worked or no longer help others in the way we have before; God reminds us that our identity is not in what we do or say but in who we are and to whom we belong. Period. Baptism is not a prescription against difficulty and suffering; in fact, in the second century and even in parts of the world today, baptismal waters are dangerous waters. For most of us in this room, however, baptismal waters are not necessarily dangerous, but troubled – troubled waters because we are asked to claim our identity in those waters above everything else, but we often squirm against it. Every time I know the right thing to do but choose differently, I am squirming against my calling and my identity in God’s grace. Every time I allow money, or lack thereof, to determine my course of action in doing what is good and right for me and my neighbor, I squirm against my calling and my identity in God’s grace. Every time I choose political motives over the message of Jesus, I squirm against my calling and my identity as God’s servant in Christ. After Jesus’ baptism, and all throughout the Gospel of Luke, Jesus performs ministry through the posture of prayer. That is Jesus’ method for remembering his identity and performing his ministry. If you are struggling to remember your identity in Christ; if you need to re-hear the words, “you are loved and with you I am well pleased,” try spending some time in quiet reflection and prayer, listening for God’s voice. It will make the difference. And it will keep you standing in line with all of God’s beloved and broken people – right where God calls you to be. AMEN.
[1] Baptism, Sacrament of Belonging, YouTube video from St. Francis Productions, 1969. [1] Karen Louise Jolly, Tradition & Diversity: Christianity in a World Context to 1500. (Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe press, 1997.) pp. 75-84.
Many baptism stories are good and memorable. Our sons, Paul and Patrick were baptized on the same day and year when Paul was two years old and Patrick was about 6 weeks old. One was quiet, keenly observant, and compliant . . . the other was not. I am sure most of you can remember a baptism that included screaming and squirming. I am convinced that squirmers during baptism are more characteristic of who we are as we live out our baptismal calling. Most of us find it difficult to be quietly obedient to our new identity in Christ. Alfredo was a young boy, maybe about 10 years of age, who lived in Mexico.[1] His parents were killed in a horrible fire that left him homeless, without a family, and deeply scarred both internally and externally on his face and body. Because of his severe disfigurement, he was forced to find kindness where he could and often had to beg for his food. One day in his wanderings he happened upon a small community of children who lived in a catholic orphanage. The children seemed happy to him and Alfredo began to have a real yearning for such a home. So, one day when the Priest was outside of the orphanage for a walk, Alfredo approached him and asked if he could be part of the community. The Priest looked at his badly disfigured face and responded that he would have to ask the other children. The other children would have to see him and make the decision. So, Alfredo followed the Priest and stood in front of the children beside the Priest while the Priest asked them if they would be willing to have Alfredo join them. There is a definite pregnant pause as the children all look at him . . . and then one child comes forward and says to Alfredo, “mi hermano (“my brother”) and took him by the hand to share his resources with him. It is a touching story filled with all kinds of questions like, “why would the Priest leave the decision to the children?” What may surprise you about this story is that it is an old movie, entitled “Baptism: The Sacrament of Belonging.” The community was asked a question. They had to agree to make room for Alfredo and they had to agree to share their resources with him. The old movie reminds us that baptism is more than an individual response; it involves a communal response. When we baptize in the Presbyterian church, the congregation is asked to make promises to care for and nurture the one being baptized, whether child, adolescent, or adult. Perpetua was a Christian who lived in the second century.[2] You may remember that early Christianity was a time of great persecution. She was a catechumen, meaning she was undergoing the instruction required before her baptism. She, a pregnant woman, and a few other catechumens (men and women) were captured by the authorities. Her father had political influence and talked with her about saving her life for the benefit of her unborn child. Perpetua delivered her child while in prison and she was offered the option to recant her belief that Jesus is Lord so that she could save her life and be with her child. In response, she hands over her young infant to her father; she refuses to recant her belief and she is subsequently tortured to death by wild beasts in an arena. She describes her tortuous decision in her journal, saying that the baptism she had been preparing for will now be a baptism by blood. Jesus’ story is another story of baptism, and our story today is found in the Gospel of Luke. Luke’s Gospel is the only one that indicates Jesus is being baptized with others. We cannot help but wonder why Luke emphasizes that point. And we also wonder why God’s Son chose to be baptized at all. Prior to today’s passage in Luke, John the Baptizer preached a message of repentance to all, and he encouraged them to be baptized following their repentance. So, standing in line with the repentant sinners to be baptized was Jesus. Did Jesus do this as an act of obedience, as some other Gospels report? Or was it an act of solidarity with all the broken, damaged, and sinful people of the world? Perhaps Jesus is demonstrating his human identity and his choice to rely upon God’s help. As we consider our own baptism, do we as individuals and as a church follow Jesus’ example and identify with the broken people in our midst? Are we willing to get in line with the broken, damaged, and sinful people of the world or do we use our baptism to separate ourselves from others? And do we acknowledge our need to rely upon God? In our Reformed tradition, we do not see the sacrament of baptism as absolutely essential for salvation. It is a sign and a seal of what we already know to be true, that we belong to God, that God knew us from the beginning (as the passage from Isaiah says), that God forgives our sins, and calls us to service. Baptism is no light thing. We tend to see and remember only the sweet stuff – an adult who finally recognizes God’s love and claims it or perhaps a wriggling baby who cries as she is grafted into the community of faith. But there are heavier things in the air here. You make promises to that child/to that adult, that come hell or high water, you will not abandon them; and you will nurture them through words and example in the faith. And as baptized adults you are asked every time we baptize to remember your own baptism and to examine your life to determine how you are living out your calling. Again, it is no light thing. You are adopted into the community of faith at your baptism but with that adoption, comes responsibility. You must be willing to share your resources; you must give of your time and talent, and your obedience becomes prioritized over your convenience. Jesus responds to his baptism with prayer in Luke’s version. We would do well to remember that we are not islands, making our mark on our own in this great big world. No, we are utterly dependent upon God for guidance, direction, grace, and forgiveness. Similarly, we are interdependent upon each other in this community of faith as we seek together to carry out our calling as baptized disciples here in Rockledge. It is only through prayer and obedience that Jesus (and I submit we) hear the affirmation, “You are my child, whom I love; in you I am well pleased.” These are life-giving words, words that all need to hear, and words that will sustain Jesus when he leaves the baptism to encounter temptation, and still later, persecution. Jesus will form a community to be with him in his ministry. So, prayer, obedience, and community make the difference for Jesus, and it makes the difference for us too. We need prayer, obedience, and community as well so that we might hear the same life-giving words of “You are my child, whom I love; in you I am well pleased” as we leave this sanctuary to encounter temptation and trial. The Prophet Isaiah puts it this way: “you are precious, honored, and loved by God and God has called you by name. And this calling, this love and presence of God is irrevocable.” You may sin and do what is wrong in God’s sight, but you will remain forever God’s child. I have said this before and I say it again. Baptism is the most radical thing we do as a church because in it we declare that this child/this adult has their identity in God and in God alone. We may hear all manner of things as we grow in life. We may think our identity lies in our families, in our jobs, in our salaries, in the athletics we are able to do, in our politics, in the houses and cars we purchase, in our education, in the wealth or political office we hold, in whatever club we are part of, etc.; but I am telling you otherwise. Isaiah is telling you otherwise. Jesus is telling you otherwise. Instead, you are God’s child, precious, loved, and honored. And it is not just an individual thing. Rockledge Presbyterian has our identity in God, not in budgets, not in the number of Christian Education classes, not in its Pastor, nor in its membership. Our identity is in Christ – precious, loved, and honored, and called to service. Friends, this is good news for you and for me. For when we are confused and think our lives are at an end because we can no longer run marathons or no longer work the same job we have always worked or no longer help others in the way we have before; God reminds us that our identity is not in what we do or say but in who we are and to whom we belong. Period. Baptism is not a prescription against difficulty and suffering; in fact, in the second century and even in parts of the world today, baptismal waters are dangerous waters. For most of us in this room, however, baptismal waters are not necessarily dangerous, but troubled – troubled waters because we are asked to claim our identity in those waters above everything else, but we often squirm against it. Every time I know the right thing to do but choose differently, I am squirming against my calling and my identity in God’s grace. Every time I allow money, or lack thereof, to determine my course of action in doing what is good and right for me and my neighbor, I squirm against my calling and my identity in God’s grace. Every time I choose political motives over the message of Jesus, I squirm against my calling and my identity as God’s servant in Christ. After Jesus’ baptism, and all throughout the Gospel of Luke, Jesus performs ministry through the posture of prayer. That is Jesus’ method for remembering his identity and performing his ministry. If you are struggling to remember your identity in Christ; if you need to re-hear the words, “you are loved and with you I am well pleased,” try spending some time in quiet reflection and prayer, listening for God’s voice. It will make the difference. And it will keep you standing in line with all of God’s beloved and broken people – right where God calls you to be. AMEN.
[1] Baptism, Sacrament of Belonging, YouTube video from St. Francis Productions, 1969. [1] Karen Louise Jolly, Tradition & Diversity: Christianity in a World Context to 1500. (Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe press, 1997.) pp. 75-84.
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[1] Baptism, Sacrament of Belonging, YouTube video from St. Francis Productions, 1969. [2] Karen Louise Jolly, Tradition & Diversity: Christianity in a World Context to 1500. (Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe press, 1997.) pp. 75-84.