Forthwith
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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, January 10, 2021
Dear Friends in Christ –
You know, for the early church Jesus’ baptism was an "acute embarrassment.” It was scandalous that the son of God would even entertain a baptism of repentance.
Repentance for what? Wasn’t the Son of God sinless? So what was the Messiah doing in the muddy water of the Jordan River, lining up behind the tax collectors and sinners, aligning himself with the great unwashed? I’m told that early in the Christian experiment the church fought to keep control of the narrative. A tough job, especially when the longed for central character showed up with no interest in fine garments and in no need of privilege or status.
Jesus’ first public act was an act of radical solidarity. An act of stepping into intimate, inextricable, “shameful” relationship with us - humanity. Instead of standing apart, instead of protecting his own purity, Jesus stepped into the same pool we stand in and cast his lot with us. With this singular act he established the whole narrative of heaven come to earth.
He stands with those whom he came to serve – those whom he came to redeem.
As John puts it, "Messiah's coming!"
See you in worship –