Water, Promise, Presence – Immerse Yourself

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…from Worship at Good Sam on January 11th, “Baptism of Our Lord.”

First Reading: Genesis 1:1–5 (Click to go directly to the NRSV Bible Text)
Out of chaos, God brings order. Out of the primeval darkness, God brings light. This familiar story was good news for the Israelites, who experienced much chaos in their history. It remains good news for any person living in the chaos and darkness of despair. God created and continues to create new life.
 
Second Reading: Acts 19:1–7 In Ephesus, Paul encounters people who had received John’s baptism of repentance but had never heard of the Holy Spirit or of baptism in the name of Jesus. After Paul baptized them, the Holy Spirit came upon them and empowered them with gifts of the Spirit.

Gospel: Mark 1:4–11 Mark’s gospel reports the story of Jesus’ baptism with some irony: the one on whom the Spirit descends is himself the one who will baptize others with the Holy Spirit.   

Water is an integral part of baptism. It helps shape the experience, much like being trapped by the Red Sea IconBaptOurLord01Projwas a critical part of the experience of the Israelites leaving Egypt. But the sea itself has no power or particular nature that makes the miracle of crossing the sea on dry ground happen. What makes this miracle effective is God’s presence and intention to bring God’s people out of Egypt. So it is with the waters of baptism. It is not the holiness or amount of the water, or impressiveness of the dunking. The power and effectiveness of this sacrament has always been in the presence and purpose of God. Discovering the gift of these promises is a lifelong journey where the miracles of baptism are discovered. Thanks to God.

“Water, Promise, Presence – Immerse Yourself”