Baptism of Christ
Greg Schaefer—January 11, 2006
- Readings:
- Genesis 1:1-5
- Psalm 29
- Acts 19:1-7
- Mark 1:4-11
Have any of you ever seen the Jordan River? From what I hear it’s smaller than, say, the Mississippi or Ohio. It is, though, important to arid Palestine and serves as a real Source of Fertility.
Throughout scripture, it is a river that is often “Crossed:” Jacob crosses, Elijah and Elisha cross, Elisha heals Naaman in it, even makes an ax float! Most prominently, Joshua leads the people across the Jordan.
During hard times in wilderness, God’s promise of land leads them forward. Under Joshua, they cross the Jordan and the land of promise opens up before them.
Flash forward. Jesus (Je-shua) comes to the Jordan. Mark (who tells a good story) says the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem came out to be baptized. Jesus, at least comes to be baptized by John. Note that Mark doesn’t bother with birth narrative: Baptism is the start.
When Joshua crosses the Jordan, the landscape opens up.
When John Baptizes Jesus, the skies open up.Joshua comes to the Promised Land.
Jesus comes as the Promised One.
“This is my Son. This is the One.”
The Kingdom of God is not a place. Getting caught up in geography dilutes the message. The Kingdom of God is a reality, born into the world in a culture and land far from here, yet very present.
In this new year, may the skies open for you, and may you hear the voice of God claiming you as beloved and leading you forth in promise.
Amen.
