Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the First Sunday after Epiphany, when we celebrate the Baptism of Christ. This morning's Church Services are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.00 at St Thomas'. If you are unable to be with us in person, you will find resourses below to worship at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "Come Down O Love Divine"
Today's Gospel
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22Baptism of Christ
As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, "I baptise you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
Now when all the people were baptised, and when Jesus also had been baptised and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
Reflection
A couple of weeks ago we looked at Luke 3:7-18 which includes the first part of today's gospel passage.
This is followed by Luke’s account of the Baptism of Christ. There is a logic in this because it puts the purpose of Jesus’ baptism into context. John had already made it unequivocally clear that he was not the Messiah and that he was only the herald for one who was more powerful.
John also stressed that his was a baptism of repentance, telling people they needed to change their ways and ask for mercy and forgiveness.
With that in mind, why, you may wonder, did Jesus need to be baptised? He was human and like us in every way, except that he was totally free from sin.
In Matthew’s account, [Matt. 1:13-17], Jesus tells John, “‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness.”.
Jesus’ baptism was an act of dedication for His future ministry and recognition of both His human nature, and also His divinity as the Father’s son. It was confirmation from God of who Jesus was.
Luke specifically notes that Jesus prayed before the heavens opened. We have no way of knowing how aware Jesus was of His true nature before these events happened and what the extent of His ministry and mission would be. Up to this point, He appeared to be ordinary in every way. He hasn’t performed any miracles or preached – to all intents and purposes He was the same as everyone else.
Then the Holy Spirit came upon Him like a dove. Many people believe that this signifies the nature of His messiahship would be peaceful and He would not be the military leader that many had hoped for. Jesus was endowed with a ministry of purity, love, and compassion.
The climax of the event is the voice of God, confirming Jesus’ identity as God’s son, the Messiah, the one whom John had been pointing to all this time and the one prophesied by Isaiah [Isa:42:1].
In baptism Jesus was initiated into the family of God and claimed by God as His beloved child. In baptism Jesus accepted His ministry and future role.
Most importantly, for Jesus, baptism was a way to identify Himself with sinners, so that they might identify with Him in His life.
In our baptism too, we are initiated into the family of God as His children.
God is calling us into a deeper relationship with Him through Christ.
God is telling us how special we are and calling us to play our role in ministry with Him. For most of us that does not mean becoming ordained clergy, but it does require us to follow the example of our role model – Jesus Christ.
To love and help one another and speak out against unfairness and injustice wherever we come across it. To spread the Gospel of Jesus.
As John declared, Baptism is a call to move away from sin; but it’s also a movement towards something - A movement towards Jesus and holiness through prayer and spirituality. As you pray this week, ask God to show you what He wants you to do to live a better life in Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul
Our Prayers
Loving Father,
We pray for your guidance,
to show us how to live our lives better,
and follow the example of your Son Jesus.
To fill us with the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit
to do your will, here on earth.
In Jesus' name, we pray.
Amen
Today's final hymn is "Hail to the Lord's Anointed"
