Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
One of the most moving portions of the funeral liturgy for me is the reminder in one of the opening sentences at the remembrance of baptism that we are “…buried with him [Jesus] by baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead we too might live a new life, for if we have been united with Jesus in a death like his, we shall certainly be united in a resurrection like his.” As the church celebrates the baptism of Jesus today, preachers are invited to explore the baptismal unity that we have with Jesus and the ways in which that baptismal connection shapes and forms our lives.
United with Jesus
Commonly depicted in art, one of the most well-known images from today’s readings is the descent of the Holy Spirit. In Luke's account, the Holy Spirit descends bodily upon Jesus in form like a dove while Jesus is praying following his baptism. Here, preachers may begin making connections here between the baptism of Jesus and our own. The baptismal liturgy is full of tangible reminders of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Those who have been baptized are often given a lit candle, a reminder of the Spirit’s light that shines in the lives of believers. In the prayers following the baptism, similarly to Christ's prayers following his own baptism, we pray remembering that the one who has been baptized has been marked with the cross of Christ and sealed with the Holy Spirit. Just as the heavenly voice declares that Jesus is the beloved Son of God, we too - emerging from the waters of baptism - are declared to be God's children and heirs with Jesus Christ to salvation. The words of Isaiah 43 remind us of this as well: God has called us by name, and we are forever God's children.
Wheat and Chaff
The proclamation of John the Baptizer in Luke 3 does not conclude with the announcement of the coming Christ. John also explains what Jesus will do. Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit, and Jesus will separate out the wheat from the chaff. Hearing this should not cause despair. We have been assured that we are united with Christ in baptism. We have been promised that we are heirs of salvation and children of God. Preachers may find it helpful to address this question through the lens of repentance. Through baptism and through the gift of the Holy Spirit we are empowered to turn toward God and away from sin. The winnowing fork of Jesus separates us from the power of sin and empowers us to follow Jesus with our whole lives. Preachers may highlight the renunciations of the “…devil and all the forces that defy God; the powers of this world that rebel against God; and the ways of sin that draw us from God” as well as the profession of faith with the words of the creed during the baptismal liturgy. A mystagogical lens on baptism looks backward to what happened, and boils down to a simple question: what happened in your baptism and what does it mean?
When the Church celebrates the baptism of Jesus, we celebrate our own baptisms as well. Through baptism, we are united with Jesus and anointed with the Holy Spirit. Through baptism, we are made heirs of salvation. And, through baptism we are empowered to turn away from sin and follow our God with our whole lives.
PASTOR DOMINIC GUIDO is a graduate of Indiana University and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He is passionate about worship and preaching, and has served congregations in Wisconsin and Kentucky. He currently serves as the president of the annual Lutheran Association of Larger Churches conference. In his free time, Pastor Guido enjoys tabletop gaming; spending time in nature with his family and loyal hound, Zuko; as well as following open-wheel auto racing, Australian Rules football, and sumo wrestling.
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