Matthew 3:13-17; Psalm 85:10-11
Except
for the occasional mishap when both I and the child’s parents are kidnapped by
well meaning but theologically misguided grandparents, I find baptisms to be a
glorious event. I am already looking forward to February 16th when I
have graciously been allowed to participate in the baptism of my soon to be
born granddaughter. In the presence of both her traditional and church family,
Siddalee will experience the water of God’s new creation as it cascades down
her forehead and into her soul.
What
exactly is Baptism? As Presbyterians we only recognize two sacraments, the
other being the Lord’s Supper. That in itself makes Baptism rather significant.
As Presbyterians we practice two types of baptism. The first, which is
universally accepted by all Christians, is called Believers Baptism. This
occurs when a person offers their own profession of faith and proclaims
allegiance to the truth that God’s gift of grace calls for a response through
their faithfulness.
The
second form of Baptism, the baptism of children, is not universally accepted by
all denominations. Believing that Baptism is a sign and seal of God’s
faithfulness, we baptize children signifying that God’s love claims people
before they are able to respond in faith.
In believers Baptism it becomes the responsibility of the congregation
to nurture and educate the newly baptized. In the case of an infant it falls to
the parent(s) and the congregation to prepare the child for that moment when
the he or she is able to make a profession of faith.
As
Presbyterians we believe in one body and one Baptism. We rejoice in Baptism
regardless when or how it was administered. Any Baptism administered by another
Christian church is recognized by our denomination.
That
explains how we administer Baptism but it really doesn’t explain what Baptism
is. Our Book of Order claims “Baptism is the sign and seal of incorporation
into Christ. Jesus through his own baptism identified himself with sinners in
order to fulfill all righteousness.” This definition of baptism leans heavily
on the account of Jesus’ baptism as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. How did
I come to that conclusion? Matthew is the only gospel writer to include the
word “righteousness” in his account. The significance of the inclusion and
exclusion of that word speaks volumes to each gospel writers understanding of
who Jesus was and is. Perhaps our Sunday School class is a better forum for
that discussion. But I do believe right
now is an opportune teaching moment concerning this particular word and how it
is so important to our fulfillment of our baptismal rites.
What
does it mean to be righteous? Let’s face it; everyone is right in their own
mind. Some folks who lean toward the political right enjoy speaking of their
adversaries as being “political wrong”. Truth is we could argue all day long
over what is right and wrong and might only come to one possible conclusion,
the right to disagree. And even that assumption is a bit uncertain. But what
happens when we expand the word “right” into “righteous”? I suspect that
creates a whole new discussion.
How
many folks would you honor with the title of righteous? Webster defines
righteous as “Acting in accord with the divine or moral law.” Webster goes a
dangerous second step by stating “A righteous person is free from guilt or
sin.” Who among us wants to claim that distinction?
The
gift of righteousness is not something with which we are born. I fear the road
to righteousness is traveled much less than any path Robert Frost ever
imagined. The writer of Psalm 85 writes the results of God’s forgiveness is,
“Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss.”
What a glorious image! Unfortunately I
fear righteousness is a quality too often missing even among those who claim to
be the people of God.
When
John the Baptist spotted Jesus among those lining up to be baptized in the
muddy waters of the Jordan, John saw a righteous man. John recognized the amalgamation
of steadfast love and faithfulness. The
one sent to testify to the infidelity of a generation fell silent with the
emergence of Jesus. Isn’t that how righteousness should affect us? Shouldn’t we
fall silent with both respect and curiosity? Shouldn’t our ears hunger for the
words that might fall from the lips of such a person of faith?
John
somehow knew who stood before him. He wanted to fall face first into the water
and have Jesus rescue him from all that confused his troubled soul. John wanted
just an ounce of the righteousness that radiated from the man before him. But
that is not what happened. Jesus said, “I need you to unleash me into the
world. I need you to place me into this water of those who have bathed before
me. I need to submit myself to the uncleanliness of this moment in order that I
might begin to walk toward a day when righteousness and peace will kiss.”
For
Jesus, Baptism was the beginning. It was the introduction into all that is good
and not so good about life. It was pre-temptation, pre-Sermon on the Mount, pre-parables,
pre-healings, pre-death, pre-resurrection, pre-anything and everything that
identified the Jesus we find in the Gospel of Matthew as the Son of God.
Our
Baptism is a beginning. It is an invitation to begin to choose to be righteous.
This doesn’t happen by osmosis. When we were baptized, regardless if we were a
baby or an adult, there was a congregation who pledged to tell us the story of
salvation and place us on the road to righteousness.
Because someone told
us the story, amidst our temptations we remember the Sermon on the Mount.
Because some told us
the story, when we face difficult trials, we relate to a parable.
Because someone told
us the story, when our spirit is wounded, we know there is always the opportunity
to be healed.
Because someone told
us the story, even in the face of death, we believe there is new life.
From the moment of our
Baptism we have been told the story of a righteous man. We have been told his
priorities were steadfast love and faithfulness to God. We celebrate his graciousness and we marvel at
his ability to forgive. We are a people, baptized into a community of believers
who strive to be righteous, strive to be steadfast in love, strive to be
faithful to God and strive to forgive others and ourselves should either fail
short of Christ’s example.
I don’t remember the
actual day I was baptized but each day I remember my baptism. It was the
beginning of my journey toward righteousness. I still have a long way to go but
I shall never stop trying because I have the voices of saints past and saints
present who have given and still give me a glimpse of what it means to be fully
human. Hopefully, like you, I have become a voice in someone else’s journey.
Together, in the light
of Christ’s stories let us celebrate the intersection of steadfast love and
faithfulness.
Together, let us
rejoice in the wonder of God’s grace as virtue and peace kiss.
Together, let us
embrace the cleansing and creative waters of our baptism.
Together, let us
remember our baptism and continue that road less traveled, the road to God’s
righteousness.
Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment