Step By Step

Step by Step

(Jn. 1.29-34)

Opening Activity

Need a pair of boots which fit me.

Stand the boots where they can be seen.

These boots (being very keen, conscientious boots) want to walk wherever I go.

Walk about and watch the boots still sitting there not moving.

They are trying very hard, but they don't seem to be getting anywhere, do they? Perhaps they need a bit of encouragement.

Get people to cheer them on.

Poor old boots - they'd love to be walking where I walk, but they can't manage it. Why not? Because they haven't got me inside them.

Climb into the boots and see the difference.

Suddenly they can walk around wherever I walk. They can even jump with me, run with me and dance with me! And all because they have me in them.

Today our gospel reading will talk about how when Jesus was baptised, God's Holy Spirit settled on him, just as the Holy Spirit comes to all Christians when they put their faith and trust in God.

So let's not waste time trying hard to do good things for God, like a pair of boots without living feet in them. Instead, let's the Holy Spirit to come and fill us each day with God's life, so we can dance through life with praise, walk beside those who need our help, and stick to the right path all the way to heaven.

Talk

Today is the second Sunday in the season of Epiphany - many of you may have been at our special Epiphany service last week - the season of Epiphany continues until the end of January.

The word 'Epiphany' means 'an appearance', or 'a revealing', ...and it's a time of year when Christians celebrate the appearance, or revealing, of Christ. There are in fact two traditions for this in the Christian Church.

In the Western Church, (to which we belong), Epiphany has traditionally been a time for celebrating the revealing of Christ to the Gentiles, at the visit of the wise men. (Remember that the wise men weren't Jews, but had seen the star from a distant country, and followed it to Bethlehem). God had thus revealed to these Gentiles, that Jesus was the rightful 'king of the Jews'.

But in the Eastern Church, (for example, denominations like the Greek and Russian Orthodox Church), Epiphany has traditionally been a time for celebrating the revealing of Christ to the world, through his baptism. For it was at his baptism, that a voice came from heaven "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased".

Now in more recent years there has been a tendency to combine both these traditions. That is why last week in our special service we had readings both about the visit of the wise men, ...and also about the baptism of Jesus. And this morning's gospel reading was again about the baptism of Jesus, and so today it's this aspect in particular that we will be focussing on.

Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the river Jordan, ...and for both of them, it was a great turning point in their lives.

For Jesus, his baptism marked the beginning of his public ministry. We know comparatively little about Jesus before his baptism. We know something about the events surrounding his conception and birth, ...and we have one account of an incident which happened at the temple when Jesus was 12, ...but apart from that, the gospels tell us nothing about Jesus until his baptism, when he must have been about 30 years old.

In our gospel reading we have recorded the eye witness account of John the Baptist:

I saw the Spirit coming down on him from heaven like dove and resting on him. ...I did not know myself, but he who sent me to baptize with water had said to me, "The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is going to baptize with the Holy Spirit." Yes, I have seen and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God.

And after that event, Jesus' ministry took off in a dramatic new way. Soon he is turning water into wine, healing the sick, feeding the five thousand, walking on the water, ...and as they say, "the rest is history".

But the baptism of Jesus was also a turning point in the ministry of John the Baptist, ...but in a very different way. And it's this that I want us to focus on today.

It's quite probable that John the Baptist knew Jesus from childhood, after all they were related to each other.

Remember how the angel Gabriel had told Mary that she was to become pregnant, and that Elizabeth, (a relative of hers), was also pregnant in her old age. Mary went off to stay with Elizabeth for about three months, ...and Elizabeth gave birth to John the Baptist.

In later years, God called John to preach a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

As you know, Israel was God's chosen people, but time and again throughout their history they had gone off the rails, and God had sent a prophet to call them to repentance, and to start again.

Well Israel had gone off the rails once again, ...and John was the last of these prophets, sent by God with the message that the whole nation of Israel needed to repent, and to start again.

Much of what John did was packed with symbolism. For example:

- Where did he preach? In the wilderness, ...where the ancient people of God had origonally been prepared by Moses and Joshua before they were ready to enter the promised land.

- Where did he baptize people? In the river Jordan, ...where the ancient people of Israel had first crossed into the promised land. And as people were baptized, it was symbolic of a new beginning.

- What did John wear? Clothes made of camel hair, and a leather belt around his waist, ...an indication that he was a new Elijah, who had worn identical clothing, (2Ki. 1.8), and who also had called the people of Israel to repentance.

These days we often see repentance as a very personal thing. Each week during the confession we say sorry for the wrong things that we, as individuals, had thought said or done.

But John the Baptist was calling the whole nation to repentance. And those who accepted his message were baptized on behalf of the whole nation.

And incidentally, that's why Jesus was baptized. One thing that always used to puzzle me was "Why did Jesus need to repent and be baptized, if he had never done anything wrong?". After all, you don't say 'sorry' if you've nothing to be sorry for!

But the point is that although Jesus himself had never sinned, he was a member of the people of Israel who as a nation had rebelled against God. And so, he was baptized on behalf of the sinful nation to which he belonged.

But back to John the Baptist. John knew that God had called him to preach a baptism of repentance because he had a unique job to do. His task was to prepare the way for the Lord. He told the Pharisees:

"I baptize with water, but among you stands one who you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of who's sandals I am not worthy to untie."

Now John was confident that the Pharisees didn't know the identity of this very special person, for one very simple reason. ...Even he didn't know his identity.

As he later explained:

"I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptizing with water."

However, God had told him what he had to look out for. He was to look out for the Holy Spirit coming down and resting on someone, ...that was the sign that this person was the Chosen One of God.

I wonder how long he had been waiting? ...Day's, weeks, perhaps months.

But then it happened. He saw the Spirit coming down from heaven like a dove, ...and to his amazement it rests upon Jesus! ...one of his own relatives!

And now, all that remained to be done was for John to tell everyone.

The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said,

"Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I spoke of... I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptizing with water."

And so that day was a turning point for John the Baptist. It was the climax of his ministry, ...and soon his work would be over. As John himself said shortly afterwards, "[Jesus] must become greater; I must become less" (Jn. 3.30)

Some years ago I remember Graeme preaching one of his first ever sermons. We were worshipping then at Holy Trinity Church, and we were having a sermon series on 'people of faith'. He had been told to choose a Bible character who he admired, and to preach about him or her.

He decided to choose John the Baptist. And his reason was the way in which John was willing to step aside for Jesus.

After all it couldn't have been easy for John. One day he was at the centre of attention. Crowds of people travelled out into the wilderness to listen to his every word. ...But after he had completed his work, and pointed people towards Jesus, the crowds left John and followed Jesus instead.

Often it can be very difficult to let go of things. I remember the feelings I had when Jennie my youngest child first started full time at school. In some ways I had been looking forward to seeing her becoming more independent, and having a bit more time for myself. But when it happened I found it surprisingly difficult. A very important part of my life was over, and my children were never going to rely on me in quite the same way again. I know a lot of people experience similar feelings when their children finally leave home to build their own lives.

In a similar way people who've had an important job in which they were at the centre of a hive of activity, ...can feel very lost when they reach retirement, and have to build a new life fro themselves away from the work place.

Well that was the situation that John the Baptist found himself in, and what is striking is the way that he accepted it. God had given him a task to do, and he was pleased to accept it. But now that this task was completed he was able to accept that to. ..."He must become greater", John said, "and I must become less".

And I would like to finish by adding one other thing that I admire about John. And that's the way that he did the task that God had given him, even though he didn't know all the answers.

Now a person like me finds that very hard. I'm the sort of person who likes to plan things, I like to know exactly what I'm doing, and why I'm doing it.

But God doesn't always guide us in that way. He often reveals his plans for us just one step at a time.

John knew that God was calling him to prepare the way for someone very special. God hadn't told him who that person was, but that didn't stop him from getting on with what God had told him.

Someone has defined 'faith' as "daring to trust God's promises". And it often involves us trusting God at times when we can see the whole picture.

Perhaps God knows that we are not yet ready to see the whole picture. Perhaps if John had known from the outset that the 'Chosen One of God' was his own relative, he just wouldn't have been able to accept it. (After all, Jesus' friends and neighbours from Nazareth weren't able to accept it).

So if you are in a situation where you feel that God is calling you to do something, but you don't know why. Or a situation where you are trying to trust God, even though you can't see the whole picture. Then take another look at John the Baptist.

Remember that God often leads his people just one step at a time.

And that 'faith' is daring to trust God's promises, even when we don't know all the answers.

Prayers

Let the Sprit of God in our hearts plead for the Church and for the world.

Great God of all time and space,

fill the Church with such joy in believing,

that all Christians overflow with love,

compassion, generosity and humility.

Let us walk your way and live your life.

Silence

Lord in your mercy

hear our prayer

Great God of power and justice,

fill the arenas of leadership and conflict

with sharpened consciences and with courage,

so that wise decisions are made,

needs met and wrongs righted.

Silence

Lord in your mercy

hear our prayer

Great God of gentleness and truth,

fill every home with new insight

and greater understanding.

Break down the divisive barriers

and build up our capacity to love.

Silence

Lord in your mercy

hear our prayer

Great God of attentive caring,

fill us with your practical compassion;

may all who suffer be heard,

comforted and cared for.

Heal both their situation and our hardness of heart.

And from our prayer list this week, we partiularly remember ...

Silence

Lord in your mercy

hear our prayer

Great God of all creation,

fill our mouths with praises

and our hearts with gratitude,

for all the glory that surrounds us.

Merciful Fsther,

accept these prayers

for the sake of your Son,

our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Sermon GS032B

The Baptism of Jesus

Coventry Cathedral 13/01/19

You don’t need me to tell you that we live in unsettling times.

Just 75 shopping days to Brexit, with many people worried about the impact or chaos that it might cause.

Of more immediate concern for a significant number of people in my own church, is the announcement of 4,500 job cuts at Jaguar Land Rover …particularly because many of the have precisely the type of jobs that are going to be cut.

So, in times of uncertainty, it can be helpful to reminder ourselves:

That the people in first century Palestine probably faced even greater uncertainty than we do today;

That Baptism of Jesus, about which we have just hear, changed the world in a far more profound way than Brexit ever will;

That it was the cause of huge change in the lives of the two central characters, Jesus and John the Baptist; and the way that they dealt with it is a great example to us all.

For Jesus, his baptism marked the start of an exciting chapter in his life.

In fact, as far as Mark’s gospel is concerned, his baptism was the beginning of the story. Mark either new nothing about, or was simply not interested in, the first 30 years of Jesus life. For him, the story begins with Jesus’ baptism.

Luke tells us a little about Jesus’s birth, the angels and the shepherds, …and a family crisis when Jesus was 12, …but once again, the main story begins with Jesus’ baptism.

(Pause)

I wonder how much Jesus knew of what lay ahead.

We read the gospels knowing all the answers. We know how the story ends. But did Jesus know everything from the outset …or did God reveal things to him just one step at a time?

I wonder how Jesus felt about what lay ahead.

Was he excited? …Was he nervous?

In Luke’s gospel, the voice from heaven is addressed to Jesus. It’s not “This is my Son…” but “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Words of reassurance, and encouragement as Jesus steps out of the shadows into the spot light.

A life changing moment, from which there would be no going back.

Whether Jesus knew precisely what lay ahead (a journey which would lead to the cross) …or whether Jesus was stepping out into the unknown …either way, it would have taken a lot of courage.

And I’m sure that Jesus was delighted to hear those encouraging word from his heavenly Father.

(Pause)

Not many of us have heard God speaking to us from heaven. I know that I haven’t.

But there have been times when I’ve felt God nudging me to be courageous.

To take a step of faith.

Whether, as a teenager, taking a step to find out more about the Christian faith.

…or a few years later, taking the first step of asking this girl to go on a date with me.

…or later in life, taking the first step of exploring what being a vicar would involve.

…or later still, taking the step of applying for a new job.

For me, all these steps had life changing consequences.

But I’ve taken other steps of faith which apparently led to nothing.

At the time, you just don’t know, and I’ve been nervous and unsure.

But I’ve felt a little prompt, which I believe was God, encouraging me to take that first step.

As I say, not a thundering voice from heaven, but a whisper that gave me the encouragement that I needed. And on several occasions it has led to a new beginning that completely changed my life.

And perhaps God is whispering to you today. …Putting something in your mind, a step that God wants you to take …that will lead to a new beginning.

(Pause)

But today’s gospel reading had two main characters, Jesus and John.

And the baptism of Jesus would be a life-changing event for John too, but in a very different way.

For John the Baptist, this didn’t mark a new beginning, rather it marked an ending.

And that too required courage.

(Pause)

It's quite probable that John the Baptist knew Jesus from childhood, after all they were related to each other.

Remember how the angel Gabriel had told Mary that she was to become pregnant, and that Elizabeth, (a relative of hers), was also pregnant in her old age. Mary went off to stay with Elizabeth for about three months, ...and Elizabeth gave birth to John the Baptist.

In later years, God called John to preach a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

As you know, Israel was God's chosen people, but time and again throughout their history they had gone off the rails, and God had sent a prophet to call them to repentance, and to start again.

Well Israel had gone off the rails once again, ...and John was the last of these prophets, sent by God with the message that the whole nation of Israel needed to repent, and to start again.

Much of what John did was packed with symbolism. For example:

Where did he preach? In the wilderness, ...where the ancient people of God had origonally been prepared by Moses and Joshua before they were ready to enter the promised land.

Where did he baptize people? In the river Jordan, ...where the ancient people of Israel had first crossed into the promised land. And as people were baptized, it was symbolic of a new beginning.

What did John wear? Clothes made of camel hair, and a leather belt around his waist, ...an indication that he was a new Elijah, who had worn identical clothing, (2Ki. 1.8), and who also had called the people of Israel to repentance.

These days we often see repentance as a very personal thing. Each week we during the confession we say sorry for the wrong things that we, as individuals, had thought said or done.

But John the Baptist was calling the whole nation to repentance. And those who accepted his message were baptized on behalf of the whole nation.

John knew that God had called him to preach a baptism of repentance because he had a unique job to do. His task was to prepare the way for the Lord. He told the Pharisees:

"I baptize with water, but among you stands one who you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of who's sandals I am not worthy to untie."

Now John was confident that the Pharisees didn't know the identity of this very special person, for one very simple reason. ...Even he didn't know his identity.

As he later explained:

"I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptizing with water."

However, God had told him what he had to look out for. He was to look out for the Holy Spirit coming down and resting on someone, ...that was the sign that this person was the Chosen One of God.

I wonder how long he had been waiting? ...Weeks, months, perhaps years.

But then it happened. He saw the Spirit coming down from heaven like a dove, ...and to his amazement it rests upon Jesus! ...one of his own relatives!

And now, all that remained to be done was for John to tell everyone.

The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said,

"Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I spoke of... I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptizing with water."

And so that day was a turning point for John the Baptist. It was the climax of his ministry, ...and soon his work would be over. As John himself said shortly afterwards, "[Jesus] must become greater; I must become less" (Jn. 3.30)

It couldn't have been easy for John. One day he was at the centre of attention. Crowds of people travelled out into the wilderness to listen to his every word. ...But after he had completed his work, and pointed people towards Jesus, the crowds left John and followed Jesus instead.

People sometimes tell me how difficult it can be to let go of things. Perhaps they've had an important job, they were at the centre of a hive of activity, ...but now they've retired, ...and feel at a loose end.

Or perhaps a mother had been at the centre of family life, ...but now the children have left home, and she too feels that her life has lost a great deal of purpose.

Well that was the situation that John the Baptist found himself in. God had given him a task to do, and he was pleased to accept it. But now that this task was completed he was able to accept that to. ..."He must become greater", John said, "and I must become less".

(Pause)

The beginning of a new ministry for Jesus. The end of a ministry for John.

Both required courage.

Both were difficult steps to take.

But both were attentive to what God was calling them to do, and were obedient to that calling.

(Pause)

You don’t need me to tell you that we live in unsettling times.

But often unsettling times can shake us up and make us more aware of what God might be nudging us.

So, is there an area of your life where God might be calling you to explore the beginning of something new ...or to end something well?

Amen.