January 10, 2021

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John son of Zechariah went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled,
    and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
    and the rough ways made smooth;
6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’” – Luke 3:3-6

Today, is the celebration of the Baptism of our Lord. I love this Sunday, as it is usually a great time to gather in the Sanctuary and renew our baptismal commitments to: renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of the is world, and earnestly repent of our sin. We remember, and take up the charge again to: accept the freedom and power God gives us to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.

With these vows we confess Jesus Christ as our Savior, and put our whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as Lord, in union with the church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races. In addition, we promise to live by his grace, and remain faithful as Christ’s representatives in this world.

These words which remind us of our promise lead us again to a greater understanding of Christ’s promise to be with us always, to lead us to love one another as he first loved us. We live into this sign of baptismal washing because our Lord was baptized in the Jordan river by John. We believe in the repentance and forgiveness of sin, and by the grace of God, we know that we can share in the kingdom that has already begun, and it yet to come. May we reflect, today, on our baptism, and renew within our hearts the promise we make to be Christ’s hands and feet in this world.

Grace & Peace,
Sam