The Baptism of Our Lord, B – January 11, 2009

SCRIPTURES – Genesis 1:1-5; Romans 6:1-11; Mark 1:4-11 

We’ve become very good in our day at disconnecting God from His work and so not seeing His presence. How does this happen? We disconnect Him and His work from His Word.

For example, this morning we are told: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” God is present; the Spirit of God is hovering over the waters; and by His voice, His Word, God brings forth light. This is the first place in the Bible, and one of the few places, where the entire Trinity is mentioned together! – although, admittedly, it’s a bit veiled here. But, Genesis 1 is clear in saying that the universe and all that is in it is the mighty work of the Triune God! This presence and life-giving power of God in creation has been greatly minimized today, however. For instance, in the scientific community it is nearly forbidden to even speculate upon the involvement of God in creation. This is in spite of the fact that leading scientists of the past saw God’s hand clearly; scientists such as Sir Isaac Newtown, who, according to the International Space Hall of Fame at the New Mexico Museum of Space History, “has been credited with contributing more to the development of modern science than any other individual in history.” Newtown once said: "In the absence of any other proof, the thumb alone would convince me of God's existence." Few scientists would see this or say this today, at least publicly. Also among Christians the presence and life-giving power of the Triune God is greatly minimized, for many Christians, in order to find more agreement with modern scientific teachings and not be considered ignorant zealots, consider the days of creation to be eons of time. Creation then becomes a more logical, rational working out of natural forces over time, and the great and mysterious work and presence of God in this world and in our daily lives is missed. Do you see proof of His existence, and His goodness, in your thumb? How about in a baby? Change God’s Word, ignore it, or look somewhere else for information about God and you will miss the mighty work and presence of God the Holy Trinity, even though He is right before your eyes!

Where do we specifically and clearly see the creating, life-giving and life-sustaining hand of the Holy Trinity at work in our lives today? There is one place, one event above all: in Holy Baptism. Notice the connections, the parallels, between Christ’s baptism, related in Mark 1, and the account of creation in Genesis 1:

1)    There’s a beginning in each: God appears in Genesis 1 and begins His work, and Jesus appears in Mark 1 to begin His work.

2)    A new world begins, and is filled with light, in Gen. 1; a mighty Savior appears in Mark 1, One who will save us from the darkness of our sins and make us new, vessels of the Holy Spirit.

3)    The Spirit is spoken of, and in connection with water. In Gen. 1 He is hovering over the waters, like a bird, ready to bring forth life and order; in Mark 1 He descends upon Jesus as a dove as Christ comes out of the water after His baptism, thus filling Him with God’s life;

4)    God speaks. He creates, and then proclaims His pleasure with His creation, in Gen. 1; He speaks and proclaims His pleasure with Jesus after His baptism.

What is Holy Scripture telling us with these parallels between the account of the creation of the heavens and the earth and the account of Christ’s baptism? It is revealing that in Holy Baptism God the Holy Trinity is present and doing His mighty work of creation: giving you life; sustaining your life; and transforming your life! This is just as true of your baptism as it was of Jesus’ baptism, for yours is no different. This is made very clear in Mark. It is true that John the Baptist speaks of Jesus in very exalted terms. John is unworthy to even untie His shoe, and the baptism the Christ would bring would be far greater than his own. It might seem, then, that He wouldn’t need baptism Himself; or, if He were baptized, that His own baptism would be far different and greater than ours! Such ideas are dispelled, however, by the account of Jesus’ baptism. He goes into the water, like everyone else, and receives John’s baptism of repentance, like everyone else. He enters into our baptism, that we might see in His baptism what takes place in our baptism.

What great blessings are given to us in Holy Baptism! In your baptism is God as your Father; in your baptism is Jesus, joining Himself to you as your Savior and forgiving your sins; in your baptism is the Holy Spirit, the gift and presence of new and eternal life. St. Paul sums it up this way in Romans 6:
  

“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.”
 

This is why we make a big deal out of little Jimmy’s baptism today, and why you should make a big deal out of your baptism. It’s the biggest day of your life, the beginning of your eternal life with and in the Holy Trinity!

 

Why, then, when we are looking for signs of God’s presence and work in our lives, would we not begin with our Baptism? Why would we ever look elsewhere? Every day you can rise in the morning, make the sign of the cross in remembrance of your baptism, and say, “I am baptized! I am God’s child! God the Holy Trinity, the Lord of creation, is with me, and He will watch over me and help me in everything this day!” You can say this with assurance, because it is true. In fact, the clearest revelation of the Holy Trinity in the Bible is in the baptism of Jesus, and then in Christ’s command to make disciples of all nations by baptizing in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. This states Baptism’s importance and blessing as the work and presence of the Holy Trinity loudly and clearly. Let us listen! Let us rejoice! Let us praise the God Holy Trinity, our Creator and giver of eternal life, for He has put His holy Name upon us in holy Baptism. Praise be to Him forever! Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.