“Christ’s Baptism and Ours” (Mark 1:4-11; Romans 6:1-11)

The Baptism of Our Lord
January 8, 2012

“Christ’s Baptism and Ours” (Mark 1:4-11; Romans 6:1-11)

Today the church celebrates the Baptism of Our Lord. On the First Sunday after the Epiphany, every year, we hear an account from one of the gospels of Christ’s baptism in the Jordan by John. “OK, so Jesus got baptized,” you say. “Big deal. Why should I care? What does this have to do with me?” A whole lot. As we shall see. Our reading from Mark and our reading from Romans will make the connection, as we consider the theme: “Christ’s Baptism and Ours.”

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Published in: on January 8, 2012 at 12:42 am  Leave a Comment  
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“Lord, What Are You Doing Here?” (Matthew 3:13-17)

The Baptism of Our Lord
Sunday, January 9, 2011

“Lord, What Are You Doing Here?” (Matthew 3:13-17)

You know, so far, both at Christmas and at Epiphany, we’ve found Jesus in places you wouldn’t expect. The shepherds were told to find the newborn Messiah lying in a manger, not in a palace. Then, when the wise men come looking for the one born king of the Jews, they find him in the little town of Bethlehem, rather than in the royal city of Jerusalem. Not where you would expect for such a glorious king. And now, when we fast-forward to Jesus as an adult, once again we find him where you would think he doesn’t belong. Today, it’s at John’s baptism at the Jordan. This is not where Jesus should be! Or is it? This, in a way, surprising appearance of Jesus, coming to be baptized, is what throws John for a loop. He basically asks Jesus, in effect, “Lord, What Are You Doing Here?”

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Published in: on January 9, 2011 at 2:16 am  Leave a Comment  
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