Yesterday was the Baptism of our Lord. The appointed lessons recounted the baptism of Jesus, by John, in the river Jordan. Before I spout off all kinds of lessons about this event, let me acknowledge that it does create a lot of confusion. The baptism which John offered was a baptism of repentance and of renewal. Why would Jesus be in need of such?
The Baptism of our Lord observance does not pretend to answer such questions or settle discussions so much as it reinforces in us some terribly important lessons. Jesus' baptism unites him with those of us who have also been baptized. Jesus' baptism signals the action by which God claims us and says "You are my child."
The baptism offered in our Christian Churches is not the baptism of John. It is a baptism in the name of Jesus. It is a baptism into the life and death and resurrection of our Messiah. We may, and we should, participate in rituals of repentance and renewal. But our baptism is not the place to point when we wish to acknowledge a re-dedication of our lives.
The Baptism of our Lord is an observance on the Liturgical Calendar too important to skip or overlook. It has many lessons to teach. Thank you for allowing me to extend yesterday's theme into today. This is a theme which is to be repeated and relived every day of our lives.
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