In the Name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ and may our Lord and Savior sanctify you in the truth, for His word is truth. Amen

The First Sunday after the Epiphany

The Baptism of Our Lord (2012)

A Baptism of Repentance Rev. Toby Byrd

Mark 1:4-11 (ESV)

John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. [5] And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. [6] Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. [7] And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. [8] I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

[9] In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. [10] And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opening and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. [11] And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."

One of history’s greatest and most far-reaching events occurred in the wilderness near the Jordan River. Called by God, John the Baptist would appear as anything other than the forerunner of the Christ. His clothing and diet were uncommon, yet he proclaimed a Baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins to the nation of Israel. As one might expect, of those who heard his message there were those who gave it no weight; dismissing him as a religious fanatic. However, others were drawn to listen to him, some out of curiosity while others were led by the Holy Spirit. Of those who listened and believed, they were baptized. Of all who came to John in the wilderness, there was One who came with a distinct purpose in mind: Jesus of Nazareth, hailed by many of His day as the Messiah and condemned by others as a false teacher. Yes, Jesus, the Lord and Savior of mankind went into the wilderness to see John the Baptist. Moreover, it is this visit that resulted in one of history’s greatest and most far-reaching events. Therefore, I invite you to open your ears and hearts to God’s Word as we rely on the Holy Spirit to help us contemplate this most important event: The Baptism of Our Lord.

Without question, John the Baptist would be described today “as some kind of character.” One could not say he was fashion conscience; his clothing consisted of camel’s hair held onto his body by a leather belt. Moreover, his diet was most unusual; he ate grasshoppers topped by a dessert of wild honey. His pastorate was not some ornate city church, but rather a barren spot in the dry desert, near the slow-flowing water of the Jordan River. The description of John, chosen as a special messenger of God, emphasizes that he was different from those around him; different in his appearance and manner, and especially different in his work.

John was different than the clergy of his day. His preaching wasn’t just a bunch of words. He was no ordinary preacher; he was called by God to be a special preacher; one who would open the eyes of God’s chosen people to recognize His Son, Jesus Christ. The remote, barren feature of his pulpit was selected by God to symbolize the spiritual deadness of all mankind without Jesus. The barren wilderness, the burning sand, the rocky places all underscored the emptiness of the hearts of men without Jesus. John’s comfort and needs were not of importance, rather his voice was all important as he cried out, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” (Mark 1:3 ESV).

The humility of this man of God was noticed by those who came to see him as he pointed to the coming One, whose sandals he was not worthy to untie. This One who was coming, who was greater than John, He would provide an even greater Baptism than that which John provided. It is not that John’s baptizing was merely some symbolic sprinkling with water. Just as the Baptism of Christ, which the penitent received on the first Day of Pentecost, was a Baptism “for the forgiveness of sins: (Acts 2:38), so, too, John’s Baptism was “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (v. 4); therefore, John’s Baptism is a means of grace. Moreover, as our text clearly shows, Christ accepted John’s Baptism as a valid Baptism, but there is a difference between John’s Baptism and Christ’s Baptism; Christ adds the fire; that is, He imparts the Holy Spirit, through whom we are sanctified. Therefore, our Baptism in Christ, which grants us the forgiveness of sins and gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit remains with us forever and continues to be effective.

In the Epistle Reading for today, St. Paul speaks of the benefits of Baptism. He asks, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4 ESV). Thus through Baptism Christians are dead to sin and alive in God. In Baptism we are forgiven for the sake of Jesus and sanctified by the Holy Spirit; the old man within us is mortified and buried and a new man is resurrected; that is, the holy man is not only typified, it is effected by Baptism.

John’s Baptism directed men to the future forgiveness of sin, which was very close at hand, but not yet present. Nor was John empowered to confer this forgiveness; therefore he baptized for repentance and a future forgiveness of sin. In John’s Baptism forgiveness is promised, in Christ’s Baptism, forgiveness is given.

Our Lord Jesus came to John with a completely different motivation than that which brought the others. Those who followed John in the wilderness came to him out of curiosity, fear, a sense of guilt, and many other reasons; remaining to confess their sins and be baptized. Jesus didn’t come to John for any of these reasons; He came to John to be baptized because He knew it was the proper thing to do. There was no uncertainty in His request.

St. Matthew tells us that John would have prevented our Lord form receiving his Baptism, saying to Jesus, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” (Matthew 3:14 ESV) But, our Lord responded, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15 ESV).

Those who came to John in the wilderness to be baptized came because they were sinners in need of forgiveness. Jesus came to place Himself in our stead; the Lawmaker made Himself subject to the Law to fulfill all righteousness for us. That is, every detail of the Law, every specific demand of God, found perfect fulfillment in the life of Jesus Christ. Thus it is as if our Lord Jesus is saying, “The purpose of my Baptism is to wash away and drown the sins of all the world, that through it all righteousness and salvation may be accomplished.” Furthermore, Jesus, through His own body, sanctifies Baptism thereby taking away all sin through this sacrament so that all who believe in Him may receive the blessed forgiveness He has achieved for them through their Baptism.

Moreover, how wonderfully heaven blessed the Baptism of our Lord! St. Mark tells us, “And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opening and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (vv. 10-11).

God is well pleased by His Son’s Baptism and coming to the font He proclaims Jesus to be His very own Son, the Messiah, and the Savior of the world and He proclaims His Son’s messianic office, encouraging Him in His work with the prospect of the glory and joy that is set before Him.

The very Spirit of God descended, like a dove upon Jesus and He and John both saw this heavenly display thereby fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor” (Isaiah 61:1-2 ESV). Jesus is to serve as the Prophet through whom the Holy Spirit would work; He is to be the Head of the Church, which is to be founded by the gift of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Here at His Baptism the Spirit of God is not only present but actively preparing Jesus for His great work. As He ascends from the Jordan His work as the Messiah begins and it comes to its culmination when on the Altar of the Cross our Lord cries out; “It is finished!” (John 19:30)

Thus the Baptism of our Lord begins His journey that certifies His messianic office in the glorious resurrection of Easter. His Baptism, His perfect life, His sacrificial death, and His triumphant resurrection—all combine to point to Him as the Messiah.

Understanding the significance of the Baptism of our Lord enables us to see the importance of our own Baptism. Not only is it required by divine command, but it has significance in our understanding of the blessed gifts of God’s grace granted in Baptism: the forgiveness of sins, the bestowal of the Holy Spirit thereby bringing us into a very special relationship with God as His adopted children. As He said to His Son, Jesus, He also says to us, “This is my beloved son or my beloved daughter, in whom I am well pleased.”

Cleansed in the purifying waters of Baptism we can all rejoice with St. Peter as he reminds us, “Baptism . . . now saves you” (1 Peter 3:21 ESV). Blessed be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit who saves us from sin, death, and the devil through the life, death, and resurrection of our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ and leads us to the sin cleansing waters of Baptism. Amen.

May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen.