January 8, 2012 Mark 1:4-11
In today’s gospel of Mark, a large crowd of people stood at the side of theJordan River. They had come to hear John the Baptist preach a message of repentance, challenging the people to change their ways.
John waded into the water. He spread out his arms and proclaimed there was one coming even more powerful who would not only baptize with water, but also would baptize with the Holy Spirit.
There he was—Jesus! Jesus stood in line too to be baptized. Imagine that! There he was with everyone else. Jesus kneeled down in the muddy water of the riverJordanto be baptized by John. The clouds parted and a dove hovered over their heads. Deep down and all around Jesus heard God saying, “You are my beloved. With you I am well pleased.”
This is the defining moment, recorded in all four gospels, that marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.
Consider what it might mean to be called “beloved”. What does it mean to be chosen by God, to be called by name?
God has chosen you, every last scrap and atom of you, to manifest yourself as a child of God. If we thought we were off the hook now that Christmas has come and gone, we are off the mark. God is abundantly clear that we are not spectators. We are participants in relationship with our Creator. God chooses us and calls us by name.
When I first was clear that God was calling me as a minister, I thought it was a big deal and that I would be doing big things. But it’s really about the small things—the committee meetings and running to the hospital, talking with someone about their family, preparing for Bible study, going with a group to this or that. Don’t underestimate these small things we do—a card, a note, a phone call, a meeting. They all add up.
I went to the memorial service of Remy Kirshner this past week, the girl who died tragically in the automobile accident last weekend. I went at the invitation of the Lenox Superintendent of Schools, Ed Costa to support her classmates. I spoke with some of them—just a word, so they knew someone was thinking of them too. This is one of the small things.
At church a few Sundays ago a visitor asked who was that nice man who greeted her last Sunday. I indicated and she went up to speak to him and thank him for his kind greeting, another small thing. This is what ministry is about.
In the United Church of Christ we understand that we are all ministers, helping each other along, supporting one another, caring for one another.
But sometimes it’s just downright tiring. You think that other people understand what you’ve been through and they really don’t. You are doing your ministry for Christ but instead you find battle and opposition and tension. People who you think could be encouraging and supporting are opposing. It happens within churches. It happens among churches. It happens within denominations battling with one another. It happens within the United Church of Christ where we are all supposed to be united. And the funny thing is– people will complain about one another but won’t take it to God in prayer, won’t remember that the scriptures are filled with stories about complaining people who learn to take it to God–God who is love and mercy and forgiveness.
This scripture is meant for us. It’s not just about other people’s complaints and repentance. It’s about our complaints and repentance. It is not just about Jesus’ baptism. It is about our baptism. It’s not just about the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. It is about our ministry. Our ministry right here at Church on the Hill and in the surrounding communities. Our ministry here that we may not always feel like doing but we do it anyway because that is what it is to be church! What a joy that we can be with one another!
Were you baptized? Christian discipleship begins by submitting to God’s grace for you. You cannot baptize yourself. When you stand to proclaim the good news through hymn-singing or praying or confessing, does your baptism claim you, claim you as a gift from God? Claim you even when you are tired and think you have no more energy or no more faith. The claim of your baptism is powerful and meant to be passed on!
We are in the Epiphany season, the season of light. You are God’s delight. You are God’s chosen. You are God’s beloved. In your baptism God meets you where you are, embraces you, comes to you. And God commissions you to be about God’s work. Remember this and claim your baptism in all you think and say and do. Amen.
