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Baptism and Affirmations
Tony E Dillon Hansen
12 Jan 2020
Reflection upon Matthew 3:13-17,
Psalm 29, Isaiah 42
Let us pray from Psalm 19…
Beloved of God, today is the festival
of the baptism of Jesus!! In some parts of the world, this day is bigger than
Christmas!
People come to church from a variety
of directions and beliefs. We come to baptism this way as well. In this lesson,
Matthew’s Gospel introduces Jesus to public ministry through baptism in the
Jordan, through God’s revelation and Spirit speaking.
We don’t have to be at the Jordan
River to experience the Spirit. We can (and I hope we do) experience the Spirit
here and now. So, let the Spirit reveal to us.
In our Church, baptism is community
witness of the holy Spirit coming into the lives of people -- as we read, all
who present at the Jordan saw the revelation of God. I am reminded of the youth
groups that go through Confirmation, and how I asked them to affirm their
community of faith. The youth of St Jon UCC said the Spirit is with
us “all day and every day.” Therefore, all we need is to listen.
The World Council of Churches lists
multiple things that happen when we are baptized, but the one that resonates
the most with me is how we get to witness the Spirit working in community
during these experiences. I submit that we can witness that Spirit
working when we, as a community, affirm our baptisms, and when we listen to the
Spirit and be with the Spirit in the moment.
Whether baptized as a child or later
in life, the Spirit was working. We are reminded of this every time we attend a
baptism. Never fails to amaze me when a light from the sun suddenly
shines upon them as the waters pour over them. A child suddenly looks up and
smiles, fellow is moved to tears of joy, or a young woman opens her eyes with
new sight of Christ. You can’t help but be moved by this.
We can witness that Spirit working
again around us and within us. Like in our Matthew Gospel, all who
were present witnessed the Spirit of God revealed.
So Beloved, through baptism and our
affirmation, we are witness to the Messianic mission of Jesus and invited to Christian
community. We can experience the Spirit when we let God be with us and reveal
to us.
We have many amazing examples to see
God and Spirit working in our midst. A hospital worker reads to sick children.
A man organizes with teams to distribute food and supplies among area homeless.
A neighborhood gets together to plant a garden. People sharing stories, hugs,
smiles and genuine hearts are ways we can witness the Spirit
working. You can enjoy that right now right here in your heart.
Yes, water is an important symbol of
baptism because of the beautiful, cleansing and life-sustaining properties, but
the real sign is how the Spirit mutually connects us together in our witness
and connecting with the Spirit of God.
This is how we begin new life and renew
in Christ and Spirit. A good thing is that we don’t lose this
because God is there for you to renew today. You may find, as Gunnemann writes,
“liberation from the bonds of self-serving religion” (or judgement and
desires). Let the Spirit lift you, free you and give you comfort – a
holy and powerful transformation from our brokenness!
When we, as people, witness this
transformation, we get to affirm and connect to our understanding of that
Spirit. Ultimately, baptism is a powerful and meaningful experience because our
baptism, our affirmation, and our witness is about how Jesus is revealed within
us. That Epiphany is the Holy Spirit with us and in our hearts and minds
through this covenant of faith.
In this light, when St John UCC had
Confirmation, there were parts not only for the youth individually, but the
youth as a group and then for the congregation as whole.
The spirit moved the entire
congregation as we all witnessed the Spirit working.
These happened because there is
something happening, perhaps a “conversion of the heart” or just warm smiles of
acceptance when we let the Spirit move us. When we let God connect with us,
when we set aside judgment and when we set aside expectations, we might hear
God speaking and asking to do good today and maybe, be compelled to joyful
tears or a simple smile.
That Spirit brings us into one
community with God. Then, with prayer -- answering the Spirit, you can let
God’s love fill you, and maybe, you can witness that light upon you too!
Listen to the Spirit working and
witness God speaking to you, and follow the light upon you – oh Beloved Child
of God – for whom God is well pleased!
Hear God speaking and connecting with
you. Connect with your beautiful smile and tears. Share with the
people in this very room. Thus, just as Jesus revealed the presence of God in
the Jordan, these are moments you can connect to the holy and embrace your life
with Christ and be comforted with the Spirit.
Thanks be to God!
