The Rt. Rev. Andrew Smith Sermon
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The Rt. Rev. Andrew "Drew" Smith
Trinity Church, Hartford
First Sunday after the Epiphany, January 11, 2015
Year B Mark 1:4-11
So it was that John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. For John proclaimed a new time that would bring a new way of life, a new presence of God, “There is one who is more powerful than I, 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."
From Scripture, and from evidence of what we think is the site of John’s ministry, this was no portable tent meeting, no one- or two-day revival. Rather, it was a substantial movement, rooted at the river Jordan, which saw and prepared as many as would come to hear, for a whole new reality and life with God. Preparation for the new era of justice and peace. That was good news because in that ago and in this age, we can get it so wrong.
John had three requirements for the new time: 1. admitting, coming clean, so to speak, about past living, actions, attitudes contrary to God’s will and the order of things as God created them to be; 2. walking into the river Jordan not for a usual ritual washing but for a thorough cleansing of one’s whole life and soul, a cleansing so complete that Paul called it drowning, dying to what has been; and then, 3. rising from the water to live from that moment on in a deeply rooted different way, with changed behavior, what we call “newness of life”—(from Luke):
People often asked him, “What would this mean for me?” And the Baptizer said, “Care now for the poor. If you have two coats, give one to someone who has need. The same with food: give to the hungry.”
Tax collectors, imagine, even came, and they asked, “What about us? How should we live?” “Collect only taxes you are charged to collect; not a penny more, nothing for yourself.”
Soldiers, pagans from the Roman Empire, came to the Jordan. “And we, what about our lives?” “Be satisfied with your wages; never use your position or power to extort money from any one; never intimidate by threats or false accusations.”
The new life would begin with each and every person, whoever, admitting, confessing, to living contrary to God’s will and contrary to the well-being of others; their passing under the water, in a thorough immersion, to die from the old; and then rising from the water to the new life, seeking to live and act in ways that are right, pleasing, to God.
Into that scene in those days along with all the others Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and he too was baptized by John in the Jordan, to enter into his new life.
I wonder what Jesus confessed. I wonder if he knew what the new life would mean for him. Like others, he too went under, and just as he was coming up out of the water, something more than John’s baptism was given: he saw the heavens above torn apart and the Spirit which John had foretold descending like a dove on him.
And a voice from heaven, God’s voice like a storm powerful to break cedar trees, shaking the wilderness, oaks writhing, forests stripped bare, wind rushing across land, the thundering glory of God, the voice: ”You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
There was “newness of life,” breaking upon Jesus as it had never broken on anyone else before.
And so with Baptism and the Holy Spirit, in Jesus, the new era that day began in a whole new way. What has come into being in him was life and that life is the light of all people. He was the true light coming into the world that enlightens everyone, everyone.
Carter Bake Ellis is here in our midst today, brought by his family, so he too can enter that new era, the newness of life. Even though he is young, still, how can we withhold the best gift we —God —can give him, right at the start of his earthly life.
For in this world we still get it so wrong. From the petty things of everyday living, to the accumulation of wealth and power at the cost of others ’impoverishment or enslavement, to devastation of wars and destruction of the earth. Every time we treat a people as less, or ridiculed, or kept apart, or groups are identified or are self-identified as aliens, the light in Christ is threatened by darkness. France. Why? I believe the satirical writers and cartoonists got it wrong in their meanness, and the Islamist extremists got it wrong in their response; and they, and more, are now dead, and God’s intention was smashed by both.
And yet, and yet. Just as “the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, and a wind from God swept over the face of the waters, God then said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw it was good;
so in Christ Jesus, in his birth at Bethlehem, the Epiphany stories such as today’s in which we celebrate his becoming known as the Son, in his death on the cross and in his glorious resurrection, God has caused light to shine in a new way in and for the world.
And whenever darkness threatens, those who live in the light, in the gift of the Holy Spirit, are called to persevere clearly and steadfastly, consistently serving God and the world in hope.
So perhaps like those askers at the Jordan, we, you and I, who bear the Name and mark of Christ, we would do well to ask again, on this day of Carter’s Baptism, “And we, what does this mean for us, for our lives, what should we do?” What does it mean for you?? Some answers will come clear, from Scripture. Some will be given by the leading of the Spirit. Some will come with more difficulty, and we can have to help each other discern and discover what it takes to more nearly get it right, pleasing to God.
To the youth and adults of Heads Up Hartford: we are so glad you are here with us today —for with the inclusion of all in your program and your work for the good of the community, you “get it right.” And to this parish: let us continue to strive in Christ, never to separate or isolate others, but to build among ourselves here and for others what is right and pleasing to God.
Carter, you do not understand what is happening for you this morning. Truth to tell, none of us completely understands all that happens for us in God. But we do know that —thanks be —God has come to us in Christ Jesus, so that we who can get it so wrong, can be born anew, become partners with God to speak and work for getting it right. Welcome to your journey through the water; we rejoice with all the saints this your baptism day.