Gospeling Your Life ~ Baptism

 

This is now your third time of encountering John the baptizer, reading about Jesus’ baptism, and the wilderness (wild-ness) temptation of Jesus on the heels of being called “God’s beloved”.  Mark, Matthew, and Luke all have these three stories knit closely together.  What might that mean?  How does weaving John, baptism, and temptation together as an important part of the beginning of Jesus’ ministry tell us something?  This is one of those questions for which there is more than one answer.  As a matter of fact, I think there are answers each time we come to these three moments that commenced Jesus’ public ministry.  A few thoughts: do you remember your baptism?  What you wore/felt/experienced?  Or if you were an infant maybe you have only a few Polaroid pictures of your baptism.  What do you believe about baptism?  What do you make of John calling out people for their mistakes?  His words are harsh and hard – like sandpaper to the soul.  We hear lots of criticism and cynicism around us today.  Some call this prophetic, and some might say that we are caught in cycles of pessimism (perhaps because we consume so much information, that information consumes us).  That we are quick to identify the bad and broken, but the blessings are easily and quickly dismissed.  Where are you like John calling out other people’s stuff (hold this as you remember Jesus talking about taking the log out of our own eye before trying to remove the speck from another’s eye).  Hold this as you also hold your humanness.  I am not perfect, my halo doesn’t shine blindingly bright, my heavenly sash is missing several badges on them because I find it difficult/too demanding to love my enemies, to take time for God (after all I am busy being God’s employee) or love my neighbor or love myself.  Or where do you find yourself in the wilderness?  What temptations are you facing right now?  Our siblings in twelve step programs often note that we all have addictions, just some (like being a work-a-holic) are rewarded by society.  These are powerful and profound stories that all three Gospels include.  I pray today, as you read through Luke’s version, the words might meet you right where you are, in the story of your life, in a holy way.  Amen.