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Introduction to Worship for 1/8/2017

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Matthew 3:13-17

All four gospels feature the baptism of Jesus, suggesting that Jesus’ baptism seems more critical to any telling of Jesus’ ministry than does a story about his birth. (There are many interesting differences between the different gospel accounts, but the fact that it is in all four is like a big sign pointing to the baptism saying “this is important!”)

What made the baptism of Jesus so important? Over the centuries, Christian scholars have filled many pages arguing about just that question. Does it suggest Jesus was impure, and that he needed to “repent” and be cleansed? After all, “repent” was certainly the word John the baptizer used when calling people to baptism. This leads us to the word repent – metanoia in the Greek – and a very common Christian misconception of repentance. Rather than meaning “feeling sorry for doing bad things,” or regret, or confession, metanoia means “go beyond the mind” or “go into the larger mind.” Scholar Cynthia Bourgeault writes that this “‘high teaching’ was Jesus’ central message: the Kingdom of Heaven means reaching beyond black-and-white dualities, into the larger heart and mind of God.” What a different perspective this opens on a familiar Christian word. Rather than “Change your bad ways!” we now hear “Look! Look! God is inviting you to a new way of seeing! Come into the larger mind, see how God sees!” To “go beyond the mind” or “go into the larger mind” is no easy task, but the baptism of Jesus offers us some clues to how we might take steps to “repent.” We could hardly want for a more perfect, physical symbol for metanoia, the “larger mind,” than the opening of the heavens and the descending of God’s Spirit like a dove. But what needed to happen before this event? John the baptizer had to release his old way of seeing the world (Jesus should baptize me) and allow for total reversal of his beliefs (I must baptize Jesus). In verse 14, he “prevented”; in verse 15, he “consented.” Thus, John accepts the invitation into the “larger mind.”

In this way of reading it, the baptism of Jesus is a rite of passage, not to cleanse, but to embody for himself and the world the seemingly upside-down way he will liberate humanity from the prison of sin and small thinking. Through the universal symbol of water, Jesus models his invitation for all to move from unconsciousness (for which water is an archetype) to consciousness – a deeper awareness of just how deeply loved we are by a good and gracious God.

In these turbulent times, the waters of baptism invite us to hope. We hold our breath, the water splashing against our skin. We hold our breath, anticipating what is to come. We hold our breath, we remember our baptism, and we have hope.

Baptism is saturated in hope.

Jesus, raised from the waters of the Jordan River, became the hope for those who followed him, inviting them to discover a new way to live in the world, loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us, realizing that the reign of God is already among us, with us, and within us.

■ How is the church’s expression of baptism similar to Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:13–17?
■ When has your participation in the sacraments assured you of your beloved-ness?

Take some time to remember your own baptism, or to share stories with someone about a water memory that is meaningful for you.  In worship this Sunday, we will all have an opportunity to renew the vows made at our baptism, and to experience again the touch of the water.



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