Baptism of the Lord + 1.8.23

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M. Campbell-Langdell

All Santos, Oxnard

(Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17)

 

It is around this time of year that every other article seems to be about new year’s resolutions. And forgive me for saying so, but I think that a lot of those so-called resolutions are less useful than horse manure. Because so often they come from a place of feeling a lack. I am not fit enough, so I have to exercise more. I am not smart enough, so I have to study more. I am not… enough. Don’t get me wrong, they start from the right place, from wanting to improve oneself, but so often they mirror negative self-talk we have learned from society. And they are not ultimately healthy. Yes, we all may wish to improve some aspect of ourselves, but not out of self-hatred. It needs to come from self-love and wanting to love ourselves more and better each year. A great example of this I saw was a friend who posted on Facebook about her journey with intuitive eating. She said that since she began practicing intuitive eating, she is more at peace with her body. She is still bigger but she doesn’t judge herself for being bigger. She loves and accepts herself and doesn’t accept hate from others about her size. She moves because she wants to be healthy, not because of a social expectation of her being a certain size. She pointed this out to counterbalance the narrative around getting in shape or going on a diet.

If you, like me, are tired of resolutions as normal, we have some good news in today’s scripture readings. First of all, let us go to the scene of Jesus’ baptism. I have heard it said that Jesus didn’t need to be baptized for the forgiveness of sin, but he wanted to do it go “all-in” with humanity, showing us all how to live and forgive and be forgiven and turn to God.[1] Jesus modeled total commitment to humanity and wading through the difficult stuff with us, so that we could see the glory. That is why we have several kids at our 11:15 service who have been learning about communion and what Jesus did for us, because they want to join the person who went all-in for them.

But it is interesting, because at that moment when Jesus was showing his full commitment to us, God showed God’s full commitment to him. God said – this is my son, the beloved, in whom I am well pleased! God takes delight in Jesus, and here God makes it clear that he is the Messiah. We are to listen to him and follow him. We will be reminded of this at the end of Epiphany season when we revisit the Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain. God radically loves and accepts Jesus in the warmest embrace we can imagine.

And you might say, well that is nice, but it may stop there. But it doesn’t. Through Jesus, we are all beloved children of God. Through our baptism and in our taking part in rituals such as communion and other aspects of church life, we remember that we are God’s beloved too. God radically loves and accepts us. We may not be the Messiah (thank God!) but we are truly loved and accepted. So that presents us with a challenge- can we radically love and accept ourselves? Whatever that thing you feel you need to improve is- can you first accept yourself as you are, as God does? Then you can take steps to make a change if you need to, but from a place of love and acceptance.

And that would also be nice. But it doesn’t stop there. In Isaiah we learn that we are not loved and accepted and saved by God just so we can receive all that and not share. We are given gifts so that we can bless the world! Isaiah says:

“I have given you as a covenant to the people,
a light to the nations,
to open the eyes that are blind,

to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness (42:6a-7).”

We have been given. Our life is ours, and yet it is not because in Jesus we are both bound and free. We have been given to give others good news. To free those around us from the bondage that would hold them.

Because there are those around us who have only heard the hate. The voice of hate has drowned out every other voice. They may be stuck in addiction or low self-worth or any number of dark places, but they need the Epiphany light. They need to hear that they are God’s beloved. That Jesus loves them, specifically, radically, now, not after they have shaped up but right now.

In order to share that, you have to believe it. So, imagine yourself, by the River Jordan, hearing those words and knowing they are also for you, miraculously, through Jesus.

“This is my Child, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

God delights in you!

Amen.

 


[1] Someone quoting Brian McLaren.

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