“Into what were you baptized?”
Mark 1:4-11
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
Acts 19:1-7
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They replied, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Then he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They answered, “Into John’s baptism.” Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied— altogether there were about twelve of them.
Meditation
Last Sunday, I provided you with a meditation concerning “whiter than snow.” It was my effort, in the aftermath of a winter storm, to hopefully help you consider your life and what Jesus can do for you for as the hymn says, he is the potter and you are the clay. Not only that, but he can also wash you and make you whiter than snow. All one has to do is humbly ask.
[So, if you are now reading this, then you know that a second winter storm has come through our area, and we are once again approaching worship in a post and read fashion. Hopefully, we will be back together for in-person worship next Sunday. Until that time],
(Now,) let’s take one step from last week’s consideration to reflecting on the sacrament of baptism and what effect that experience in our lives as Christians can and should have.
Here is a question for your contemplation.
Will we, in 2022, be different from and better than how we were in 2021?
Now, add to that question this quote from Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel for further deliberation:
“Few are guilty, but all are responsible.”
“All are responsible.” That includes you and me.
Every time something bad happens, we typically trot out our usual responses and say our prayers, but nothing changes. The change will begin only when we take responsibility for actually being different from and better than how we were before. And that’s about our baptism. Through our baptism, “we are reborn by the Holy Spirit” and “raised to the new life of grace.”
Baptism is a declaration and reminder that we already are beloved sons and daughters of God. It’s not meant to change God’s mind about us. It’s meant to change our minds about ourselves and one another. It’s more than a day in our life. It’s to be the way of our life. It means letting the waters that were poured over us on a particular day flow through us every day – the waters of love, compassion, justice, forgiveness, and healing. Baptism is a call, awaiting our response. It’s an open door to a new life different from and better than the old one.
What does that look like and mean for your life today? What is your baptismal responsibility?
How can we close our eyes and ears to the sights and sounds of violence and injustice anywhere when we, in our baptismal vows, have promised to strive for justice and peace among all people?
How can we say we have no need of or concern for certain people or groups when we have promised to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves?
How can we talk about and treat one another as we have been when we have promised to respect the dignity of every human being?
How can we not let the gospel inform our cultural beliefs and societal actions when we have promised to proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?”
How can we abdicate our responsibility to God, one another, and our nation, when we have promised to persevere in resisting evil, and whenever we fall into sin, to repent and return to the Lord?”
There’s only one answer to those questions. We can’t and we shouldn’t. And if we have, maybe we need to ask ourselves the question the apostle Paul asks in today’s scripture from Acts: “Into what then were you baptized?” Because whatever it was or is, it’s not a baptism “in the name of the Lord Jesus.” It’s in the name of someone or something else.
Here’s the thing, Paul was asking that question of disciples, believers, people who followed Jesus and claimed him as their teacher and the Lord of their life. That highlights for me three things:
How easily and quickly our baptismal waters can dry up;
How tempting it is to immerse and wash ourselves in someone or something other than “the way, and the truth, and the life” of Jesus; and
How necessary it is to return to, tend, and renew the waters of new life.
What does that look like and mean for your life today? What is your baptismal responsibility in our culture and society today? “Into what then were you baptized?”
So, the question remains for your reflection:
Will we, in 2022, be different from and better than how we were in 2021?
I really don’t know. But I now believe there is a prior question to be answered:
Do we, in 2022, want to be different from and better than how we were in 2021?
Amen.
Prayer for this day
Last Sunday, the meditation I offered to you used a hymn, “Have Thine Own Way Lord,” to introduce my thoughts and reflections. For today’s prayer, I will also use a hymn, “Summoned By The God Who Made Us,” to guide our prayer thoughts.
Summoned by the God who made us
rich in our diversity,
gathered in the name of Jesus,
richer still in unity:
CHORUS: Let us bring the gifts that differ
and, in splendid, varied ways,
ain’t a new Church into being,
one in faith and love and praise.
As we bring ourselves and all our baggage, whatever that may be,
Incarnate God, accept our love and praise: Lord, hear our prayer.
Radiant risen from the water,
robed in holiness and light,
male and female in God’s image,
male and female, God’s delight.
Jesus, as we followed you through baptism to the new beginning you offer us, we celebrate the differences you have created in us whether male or female. We hold up for protection and relief from the dangers, abuse, violence, imprisonment and even death encountered by so many in our own country and throughout the world for those very differences. We do give you thanks and pray your protection and courage for all who work for justice, equality, and the right to be whom you have created them to be, in love – and in your own image.
Jesus, Light of the world, bring light into the dark places so your new way of justice and peace can begin: Lord, hear our prayer.
Trust the goodness of creation;
trust the Spirit strong within,
dare to dream the vision promised,
sprung from seed of what has been.
We pray for visionaries and for ordinary folk, both, in their own way living and persuading by example how to live in harmony with all that you have created in order to maintain life as you envisaged it here on earth. We build and re-learn often what others who lived before us knew and what so many still strive to do despite the efforts of too many cloth-eared tycoons and politicians. We do give thanks for the many efforts taking place to educate and change attitudes and practices.
Holy Spirit, hope of the world, energize us, disturb us, inspire us: Lord, hear our prayer.
Bring the hopes of every nation;
bring the are of every race.
Weave a song of peace and justice;
let it sound through time and space.
Inspire us, to listen – not merely to be silent while composing our response for the next available pause – so we might truly learn, encounter, hear and see the dreams and visions of others, and so be enriched by the interplay and exchange of those whose lives differ from ours. You the Servant King, show us a new life-enhancing, life-fulfilling way of being so that truly your new way of being human can heal and transform our fear-filled, damaged people and planet where too many are only surviving not living. This in truth can and will be – since it is your will – a transfigured yet beautiful world and life.
Creator God, community of Love, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: hear the prayers of our hearts.
Draw together at one table
all the human family;
shape a circle ever wider
and a people ever free.
Holy One, your Truth revealed to us in human form in Jesus, makes us free. We thank you and praise you. Lead us in this way. Amen.
Covenant Presbyterian Church 