THOUGHTS FOR THIS WEEK

Readings

Isaiah 43.1-7: God’s people have no reason to fear, for God has redeemed them, and they will not be harmed when passing through water or flame. God will bring the children of God’s people from the four corners of the earth, and will bring together blind people who can see and deaf people who can hear to bear witness to how God has saved and liberated God’s people.

Psalm 29: A song in praise of God and of God’s mighty voice which is strong and majestic, and which shakes the earth. Yet, God gives strength and peace to God’s people.

Acts 8.14-17: The apostles, having heard the news that the Samaritans had accepted God’s word, laid hands on the Samaritan believers and prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit, which they did.

Luke 3.15-22: The people wonder whether John the Baptiser is the Christ, but he denies it and proclaims that another is coming who is more powerful than he is, and who will baptise with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Then Jesus is baptised by John along with the other people, and the Spirit descends on him and he hears God’s voice affirming him.

Rev Tania writes:

The theme this week, in the Season of Epiphany, is the baptism of Jesus. This Sunday gives us a “God’s-eye-view” of Jesus. We get a sense of the person and calling of Jesus from a divine perspective, and the message is clear: in Christ, God partners with us, and invites us to partner with God. In addition, God gives us the power we need, through God’s Spirit, to fulfill our calling to be co-workers with God.

The possibilities that this theme presents for worship are very exciting. However, this year, the focus is less on Jesus, and more on how God’s people are invited to participate in the baptism and to receive God’s Spirit.

In the Isaiah prophecy, God’s people are promised liberation and salvation, even though they pass through water and fire, and they are called to witness to God’s saving acts.

In the Psalm, God’s voice is celebrated, which shakes the earth, but which also – by implication in the Psalm – strengthens and brings peace to God’s people, even as God’s voice affirmed Jesus.

In the reading from Acts, the Samaritan believers, who have been baptised in the name of Christ, now receive their own “baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire” when the apostles lay hands on them.

Finally, in the Gospel, Luke reminds his readers of John’s prediction that Jesus is the one who will baptise them in the Holy Spirit, and, in this context, Jesus baptism is related, along with the voice of God that affirms and strengthens him. What this means is that our meditation on Jesus’ baptism this week is not just an exercise in holy remembering. It is not just about Jesus. Rather, it is an acknowledgment that God is still at work in the world, and still invites us to participate in God’s saving and liberating work. But, to do this, we, like Jesus, will need to be strengthened and empowered. We will need to be baptised in the Holy Spirit.

Rev Tania