In his baptism, Jesus gives an example for all generations to follow (Luke 3.21-22).
Context
- Fewer than half the women in Pakistan have access to midwives. In the remote Himalayan area, many pregnant women give birth without help.
- Plans to build a NHS fit for the 21st century include an aim to focus on prevention.
- The world’s first environmentally friendly train has successfully completed trials.
By aligning himself with humans in their need Jesus brought hope to a suffering people. Many in our world today are nearing despair and we often complain that there is never any good news.
Reflection
The baptism of Jesus is a moment of revelation. It is a sign that God is active in relationship to the world. In both the Isaiah and the Luke passages there is an announcement of salvation. There will be liberation. There is hope for the future. The three news stories referenced above each in its own way is a symbol of hope for individuals and for the world.
Sherbano the midwife of the mountains knew how difficult giving birth in the remote Himalayan area was. She aligned herself with other woman and sought to bring hope to them. The question is sometimes asked as to why Jesus needed to be baptised. It may not have been a necessity but rather a choice through which he aligned himself with suffering humanity. It is into that alignment that the Spirit and the voice of God come. This is a sign of hope brought through God’s loving interaction with the world.
Strokes, cancer and heart disease are a massive issue for our society. Their impact is not just on the sufferers themselves but on their families and the wider community. By instituting a major strategy for prevention the NHS is seeking to avoid the problems which they cause. Jesus’ baptism is the beginning of his mission statement. By going forward to John he indicates that he himself has a role in making his life and thereby the life of the world better. To the question what sin was Jesus repenting, perhaps the answer is prevention is better than cure. This alignment with the purposes of God gives him the strength to fulfil God’s calling for him in the way that the NHS prevention strategy will enable those who engage with it to be strong in the face of serious illness.
One of the greatest concerns of many people, especially young people is the threat to the planet resulting from the way it is being treated. Those concerns can easily lead to despair as people can see no positive solutions. The Coradia iLint is a zero-emissions train which runs on just steam and condensed water. This is a sign of hope for the future. As the crowds gathered around John they were seeking a Messiah. John was clear that he was not the Messiah. Although he said that the Messiah was coming, his announcement may have been met with disappointment and even despair. As Jesus came forward for baptism and as God responded to his baptism there was a glimmer of hope for those who feared the worst.
Prayer
These could be used as intercessions
Holy Spirit who descended upon Jesus at his baptism,
we pray that you will come as the dove of peace
into all places where there is conflict and warfare.
We pray especially for Syria.
Come, Holy Spirit.
Come, Holy Spirit.
We pray that you will come as the dove of wisdom
upon all politicians and all in authority.
We pray especially for those making decisions
about the future relationship of the UK and the European Union.
Come, Holy Spirit.
Come, Holy Spirit.
We pray that you will come as the dove of comfort
upon all those who have lost loved ones
especially where people have died as a result of violent crime.
Come, Holy Spirit.
Come, Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit, who descended upon Jesus at his baptism,
we pray that you will descend upon us with peace, wisdom and comfort,
that we may live as Jesus lived.
Come, Holy Spirit. Amen.
Questions
- What do you see as signs of the Spirit active in the world?
- How can we align ourselves with Jesus’ purposes?
- Is there more to national repentance than a public apology?
All-age activity
Make an emotion map of the story of Jesus’ baptism (Luke 3.15-17,21-22) by asking people to imagine what those in the crowd felt at each point of the story – when they arrive; when John spoke; etc. Make a list of the emotions and in pairs discuss times in the past week when you have felt one of those emotions.
Young people
Bring copies of newspapers from the last couple of days. Give out dove shaped pieces of paper, and pens. Invite people to stick a dove on a newspaper story, and to write on the shape what they think the Spirit can bring to the situation described in the story. End with a prayer (adapted as appropriate):
Come, Holy Spirit – bring peace.
Come, Holy Spirit – bring comfort.
Come, Holy Spirit – bring love.
Come, Holy Spirit – come now.
Amen.
Rev Stuart Wild is a minister in the Bolton and Rochdale Methodist District.
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