Baptism of Jesus

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw God’s Spirit descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from the heavens said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:13-17)

Remember Your Baptism

I will never forget the theological confusion that unfolded on my first trip to Israel and Palestine. The trip was designed by Reformed Christians for Reformed Christians. So, the itinerary did not include a stop at the Jordan River for a baptism service. This oversight led to a protestation from our Baptist travelers who just assumed we would be going to the Jordan River. I watched one evening as tears flowed down one pilgrim's face as she recounted the importance of the Jordan and being able to be baptized there, and I watched the confused faces of the Presbyterian pilgrims who were rather uncomfortable with the thought of being baptized again.

We understand baptism differently depending on our denominational identities and theologies. Yet we need a spiritual practice to remember our baptism. Whether your baptism occurred at a point in your life when you can actually remember it or not. It's an important Christian practice to remember that we are all called Beloved by God.

Hymn: Down by the Jordan

LOBE DEN HERREN 14.14.4.7.8 ("Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty")

Down by the Jordan, a prophet named John was baptizing,
Preaching a message the people found bold and surprising:
"God will forgive! Show that you'll change how you live!
Surely God's new day is rising!

"There by the river, the crowd came with great expectation:
"Are you God's Chosen One, sent here to rescue our nation?"
"No!" John replied. "He who is mightier than I
Judges and offers salvation."

Jesus, you went to be baptized along with the others,
Taking your place among sinners, God's lost sons and daughters.
Then with great love, God's Spirit came as a dove!
Your work began in those waters.

Here in the Church, we are baptized and filled with God's Spirit.
Freed and forgiven, we're welcomed with joy! Can you hear it?
This is God's sign! This is how God says, "You're mine!"
Let's take the good news and share it!

Biblical References:  Matthew 3:13–17; Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–23; John 1:29-34. Tune: Straisund Ernewerten Gesangbuch, 1665. Harm. The Chorale Book for England, 1863 Text: © 2000 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved. Email: bcgillette@comcast.net Web site: www.carolynshymns.com Copied from "Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor" by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (Discipleship Resources – Upper Room Books). This hymn is also in the United Methodist Church's "Worship & Song." Please contact Carolyn at bcgillette@comcast.net for permission to use the hymn and to get a copy of the hymn formatted for worship bulletin use in MS Word and/or PDF of the hymn with music.

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