Epiphany 1C- Baptism of Jesus
Luke 3:15-22
Who I Am!
Part of the process of getting older is discovering more about yourself. We all go through the struggle of figuring out who we are... that is what we like and dislike, what makes us happy or sad, and so on. And yes, for the kids out there, it involves at some point figuring out what job you wish to aim for, which isn’t always static. At the core of our being, we must have an idea of who the true and authentic “you” is and how we’ll relate to other people. Our identity is the core essence of our being. It’s the sum of all our “parts” if you will. While our identity is so much bigger than any one part of our being, it can be affected by the things we decide to do or what labels or hobbies we grab onto. Our identity is what grounds and tethers us in our relationships with one another. When we’re true to our identity, we can relate to other people in our own unique and special way. This is what most people look for in a relationship. The problem comes in when we’re willing to change our identity for any little or insignificant thing. When we try to uphold a false identity, we can often suffer from what is called imposter syndrome. It’s what happens when we realize that our identity doesn’t match up with our actions. For we must understand identity like building a tower or building. We must have a solid foundation first before any walls or other structures can be constructed. If parts are assembled in the wrong order, then everything is at risk of coming tumbling down.
Today, we see this all come together for Jesus. The true identity of Jesus is revealed through his baptism in the Jordan river. The climatic beginning of Jesus’ ministry though is much more than a signal of things to come. As we’ll learn, Jesus’ baptism is the foundation for our very identity. Thus, we learn:
BY BAPTISM, GOD HAS DECLARED: YOU ARE MY CHILD!
I.
This was the moment that people would learn who Jesus was. Before now, Jesus was unknown throughout Israel. This was because Jesus hadn’t started his public ministry yet. It was Jewish custom that men who would serve in the temple wouldn’t do so until they were thirty. Rabbis wouldn’t begin teaching publicly until they had reached this age of maturity. So too was it with Jesus. He waited until he had grown up. Thus, we hear of the people going to John, “As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, John answered them all, saying, ‘I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire,” Luke 3:15-16. John knew who he was and wasn’t. He wasn’t the Christ. Rather, the people would quickly find out who Jesus was in his baptism.
Now, I know Luke doesn’t elaborate much on Jesus’ baptism like the other Gospels do. However, there’s something important we need to consider. Why was Jesus baptized? John is teaching the people about who Jesus is, that he’s the mightier one, the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. Yet, Jesus comes to be baptized by John. Why? This action of Jesus doesn’t match up with what John has taught. If Jesus is the promised messiah, the perfect Son of God, why does he need a baptism of repentance? And in reality, the answer is simple. You see, as Christians in our world, we often feel like imposters. We’re called holy, perfect, good, and all other types of pleasant things. But when we look insider ourselves. We know that we’re none of them. Our actions don’t match up with our Christian identity. Yes… we’re called holy, but we’re sinners. We’re called good, but we know the evil that dwells within us. For we must understand, the reason this is the case is because of our baptism. Our baptism would mean nothing, would be worth nothing… IF it hadn’t been for Jesus’ baptism!
II.
What is baptism? It’s the Word of God added to the water that it may become a lavish washing away of sins… and that’s what’s happening today. THE WORD of God, the Word become flesh… has added himself to the water. He has joined himself with you by his baptism so that you may now be made like him! Just as St. Paul writes, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life,” Romans 6:3-4. In our baptism, Christ takes upon himself your sins so that we may take upon us Christ’s righteousness. It's the holy exchange… for we may say that Christ has become our imposter. Christ who is holy and righteous has become like one of us… a sinner. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God,” 2 Corinthians 5:21.
Here we have the very foundation of who Christ is, and who we are. In baptism, Christ is shown to be the savior of the world. He’s revealed as the true Messiah, the very Son of God. As we heard, “Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased,” Luke 3:21-22. Jesus was baptized so that he may assume your place. Jesus was baptized so that he may take your sins. And because Jesus was baptized, he goes to the cross to die in your place, for your sins, to take your grave… and in turn, give you his righteousness and life eternal! This is the beloved Son of God, Jesus Christ, our savior. But God doesn’t stop there. For when you were baptized, these are the same words God speaks concerning you… You are my child; with you, I am well pleased! For whenever you may feel like an imposter, whenever you have doubts as to your true identity, look to your baptism and hear God say to you again… my beloved child!
For let this be our identity, the very foundation of who we are. As those who have been baptized into Christ, let us know for certain that God has called us each by name and made us children of his kingdom! In Jesus’ name! Amen!