The movie The Big Short delves into the sub-prime mortgage world leading up the 2007 crash in the housing market. Neurosurgeon, turned hedge fund director Dr. Michael Burry, predicts the collapse and gets rich betting against the mortgage industry. He saw what no one else would see, he was thought crazy for his prediction. In the movie Christian Bale plays Dr. Burry with an all star cast telling a compelling and tragic story with humor and insight. At the end they shared what all the characters are doing now- and Dr. Burry is now focused on the valuable commodity of water. Water. Lack of water has defined our life and the recent deluge of water has us thinking about Noah. Water can be disaster causing or life giving. Baptism is the sacrament of water often bringing with it the Holy Spirit, something no one could see. Today I want to dive into the experience of baptism and see with new eyes that which grounds us in our faith.
John the Baptist was a baptizer. He started baptizing people before Jesus was on the scene. His was a baptism of “repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Lk. 3:3) for the brood of vipers who did not bear good fruit would be thrown into the fire (v. 7, 9). John’s baptism was one of judgement and repentance which begs the question why did Jesus get baptized? Jesus was not tainted by original sin, his birth was holy. Jesus led a sinless life, so why was he baptized?
As we try to answer that question, let us remember there are four accounts of Jesus’ baptism and they differ in interesting ways. In John’s gospel, John the Baptist recounts the story of baptizing Jesus as the Lamb of God (1:29-34). In the Synoptic gospels- Matthew, Mark and Luke they tell the story from a common view which is what synoptic means. Even with a common view there are differences. Matthew and Mark have Jesus being baptized by John without others being mentioned, sort of a personal baptism. In these two gospels, when Jesus is coming out of the water the Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus like a dove. The Holy Spirit comes to Jesus through baptism. So for Matthew and Mark Jesus’s baptism is both private and the Holy Spirit comes instantaneously (Mt. 3:13-17, Mk. 1:9-11).
In Luke’s gospel, baptism is a little different. Luke wrote both of our passages, the Acts of the Apostles and the gospel of Luke. So from these two passages we are getting a consistent and unique view of baptism. The fact that Philip baptized the people of Samaria shows the inclusive nature of baptism; all are welcome in Christ. There is a radical welcome in the waters of baptism. Remember the Samaritans were not respected in the Jewish community, here in the early church Samaritans are drawn to Christ and baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Baptism is the initiating action but it is not until Peter and John pray and lay on hands that the Holy Spirit descends.
Thinking about our own baptism this delay seems helpful. Infant baptism might be like this two step process. God claims us from before we are born; our baptism is a sign and seal of God’s love and adoption. It truly is a lifelong journey of faith to experience the Holy Spirit descending. We pray and study, worship and celebrate God to be in communion with the God’s Spirit. For those who were baptized at an older age, declaring your faith, your baptism might be an initiating action with the Holy Spirit descending. Whether the Holy Spirit comes at once or gradually, we all seek the face of God and desire for more intimate connection to the divine; a connection that starts with baptism.
So why did Jesus get baptized? I was taught Jesus’ baptism marks the beginning of his ministry. But it is so much more. Luke writes, “Now when all the peoples were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him” (v. 21). Jesus was baptized with the very people he came to save. He was not baptized for the forgiveness of his sins, but to be in solidarity with all of us sinners. One commentator wrote, “When the line of downtrodden and sin-sick people formed in hopes of new beginnings through a return to God, Jesus joined them. At his baptism, he identified with the damaged and broken people who needed God (Feasting of the Word, C1, pg. 236). Jesus identified with us. Jesus knows your sin and mine and by water and the Holy Spirit washes that away. In baptism, he joins with you to heal your brokenness. God’s grace surrounds you with the Holy Spirit.
The heaven opens and the Spirit descends while Jesus is praying. Prayer is integral in both these baptismal moments. Prayer and laying on of hands brings forth the Holy Spirit for the Samaritans and Jesus receives the Holy Spirit while praying. In baptism, Jesus is not only coming to us sinners; he is coming to God in prayer. Through prayer Father and Son commune. What is begun in baptism is lived out through the practice of prayer and receiving the Holy Spirit. As you pray early morning and at the end of the day, saying thank you to God, I want you to visualize your baptism or the renewal of your baptism we will soon share. Ponder the time when God breaks forth into your world claiming you as God’s own. As you imagine your baptism, hear these modified words from John Leith, a Presbyterian professor and theologian. “In baptism your name is called because our faith is that God thought of you before you were born, that God gave to you an identity, an individuality, a name, and a dignity that no one should dare abuse. Human existence has its origin not in the accidents of history and biology, but in the will and the intention of the Lord God, creator of heaven and earth” (F. on the W. C1, 240.).
This same God, declaring his intentions, proclaimed to Jesus, “You are my Son, the Beloved, with you I am well pleased.” God affirms who Jesus is and validates his ministry and purpose. Our baptism is based on Jesus’ baptism. In baptism you are claimed as a child of God, a son or daughter in a caring relationship with your heavenly father. You are validated in the waters of redemption for you have value in the eyes of God. No matter what you have done, what mistakes you made, because of God’s abundant mercy and grace, God welcomes you home.
The heaven opened when you were baptized, in that whatever might separate you from God is no more. Through the waters of baptism you are claimed, loved, validated and honored. Soon you will have the opportunity to reaffirm your baptism; to renew your baptismal promise. Laying your hands in the water, sense God’s validation and renew your commitment to God. You can either submerge your hand in the water to pull out a stone, or you can take a stone from around the base and dip it in the water. Feel the waters of baptism; sink into the love of God as you come forward and touch the living water. Your love affair with God starts at baptism. As we join in the closing hymn, imagine God singing the lyrics to you. Your love affair with God starts at baptism. God hears your first cry at birth; God stands with you at your crossroads, God journeys with you through it all. As you sing, immerse yourself in waves of God’s love; love starting at baptism, rolling on throughout your life. Amen
