The Festival of the Baptism of Christ

11th January 2009: 9:00am & 11:45am

Preacher: The Revd Hugh Phillipson

Readings: Genesis 1:1-5; Acts 19:1-7; Mark 1:4-11

MARK 1: 4-11

John the Baptist was a huge hit – a star of his time. It’s hard to make modern comparisons. Perhaps Billy Graham in the 50’s and 60’s had a similar effect on people?. On a secular level today perhaps Barrack Obama, as he takes up the Presidency of America amongst great excitement and anticipation.

John the Baptist gripped people’s imagination. He lived in the harshness of the desert. He wore a camel’s hair shirt, not renowned for its comfort. He ate honey and locusts – I suspect the beans rather than the insects! He was different. The locals were impressed. “This man has really got something.. He’s just like Elijah and we haven’t had a good prophet for over three hundred years! We’ve got to go to the Jordan River and see and hear for ourselves” John had lived in solitude. He heard the voice of God. He spoke strongly and convincingly about the need for people to confess and turn away from their wrong doing and return to God. When they had admitted they had sinned John would baptize them by total immersion in the river.

Mark says the whole of Judea, including Jerusalem, came to see him and to be baptized. The enthusiasm and the numbers were probably a lot more than say the annual crowds queuing to get Rugby 7’s tickets. And one of that huge crowd lining up like everyone else was an unknown 30 year old carpenter- builder from Nazareth. But as he was baptized he had a unique and powerful experience. He felt the Holy Spirit coming down on him gently like a dove and he heard God’s voice: “You are my Son. I love you and I am very pleased with you”.

That simple quick immersion in the Jordan changed world history. It brought new understanding of God and it has given new spiritual life and hope to not millions, but billions of people over the ages. It has brought the love of God to us today. And yet that world changing moment may hardly have been noticed, apart from John, by anyone else in the crowd that day.

I remember a landslide many years ago which cut off Peak Road for several weeks. Later on we found out that the landslide had been caused by – wait for it- a small insect! A mother had been driving her car when an insect started to upset her daughter in the back . Mum was momentarily distracted - drove off the road and collided with a lamp post. Later the workmen dug up the bent lamp post leaving the hole open for a new one. That night there was a major storm and all the rain water on the road poured into the hole and seeped into the steep slope below. Eventually it triggered a landslide and the slope and the road disappeared down the hill – all because of one tiny insect.

If we look back in our lives some of the ultimately big changes in our lives may also have started with something tiny or accidental. I am sure we all have some really good stories to tell. How we met our wife or husband through a passing chance encounter. How a few words by someone pointed us in a new direction – maybe a new career or a new country. For Ruth and myself, I don’t think we would be here if Ruth hadn’t spotted a small job advert in a magazine, over 30 years ago.

One occasion that most of us won’t recall was when we were baptized as tiny children. Like Jesus, we were baptized with water - the spirit of God rested on us and we became special sons and daughters of God. This means we can relate to each other as brothers and sisters in the family of the Church, and we are part of the living body of Christ. That small baptism that we may not even remember was a hugely important event in our life.

Some people might query if the baptism of Jesus actually took place. Well we can be reassured on this. Normally biblical scholars enjoy arguing about what in the Bible might be factually true or what might be poetic license to reinforce spiritual truths. But they all seem to agree that the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River did happen. Why? One reason is that the baptism occurs in all four Gospels. That might seem obvious. But there is surprisingly little overlap between the three synoptic Gospels,(Mathew, Mark and Luke) and also in St John’s gospel. The baptism of Jesus by John is one important event in Jesus’ life that all four gospels include, although differing in detail.

John’s baptism was one of confessing and turning away from sin. We believe that Jesus was without sin. So why did he need to undergo this baptism of repentance? This was a theological embarrassment to the early church,. Indeed our second reading from Acts tells us how they had got it wrong in the church at Ephesus. They were bringing people into the church with John’s baptism, rather than being baptized in the name of Jesus. So with all the confusion as to the relative status of John and Jesus and baptism, why put it in all four gospels unless it really happened?

There are several reasons why Jesus did undergo John’s baptism, but here’s the one that for me is most meaningful. Jesus was sinless, but he chose to be baptized to put himself on the side of ordinary people. Doing that, he identified with all of us in sharing, or taking from us, our burden of wrongdoing. He came to share our life and to die that we might live. So what better way to start his ministry of loving service, than to be alongside ordinary and some spectacular sinners.

Being baptized ourselves also makes us followers of Jesus - modern day disciples. We look for his example to guide us in our lives here in Hong Kong. Can we learn anything from what happened at Jesus’ Baptism. Yes, I think we can – three things Humility, social justice and compassion.

As far as we know there were no special arrangements made for Jesus at his baptism. He didn’t demand a special private or VIP ceremony. He probably queued up for a long time like everyone else for the baptism, and then went away quietly to undergo his own time in the desert - to listen to God and to plan his ministry. Jesus was no poser, or “look at me” personality doing things for effect or to impress. Throughout his ministry he never tried to lord it over people. Washing the feet of his disciples was the ultimate demonstration of that humility –an example for us.

Jesus in identifying himself with sinners showed that all people including the poorest of the poor and the most sinful have their basic human dignity as children of God. His mission was to open the eyes of the blind, to free those in prison, and to bring out all those who languish in darkness and depression. We have plenty of our own problems but let’s not forget the many unfairnesses and injustices that surround us if we really open our eyes to them. Our Cathedral outreach organizations do wonderful work in this area. As individuals doing our best to follow our Lord could we do more?

Perhaps because of his humble nature, Jesus had no trouble identifying with people of all classes and background. He gave them time and attention. He listened to their problems. He did his best to help. He had very enjoyable meals with them, whoever they were, much to the consternation of the religious leaders. He was generous in spirit. He was thoroughly involved with people’s lives: their joys as well as their pain and suffering.

Many of us are beginning to suffer in different ways as a result of the global financial crisis. Could we be doing more to share each other’s anxieties and concerns at this difficult time. Could we, brothers and sisters in Christ’s family spend more time together in different ways, listening to and supporting each other with our friendship? I know it’s very difficult with our big congregations, but I think Jesus would want us to try.