A new year and a baptism
Today was not the first Sunday of the year, 2026, but I was thinking about the new year and how, by now, most people will have broken their resolutions and it fit somehow.
More importantly this Sunday is the when we remember the baptism of Jesus. Jesus’ baptism is a bit of theological conundrum. There are several theories of course but as this isn’t a theological lecture I’ll pass over them and leave you to look them up at your convenience.
What I wanted to think about in this sermon was the possibility that Jesus’ baptism wasn’t for him, nor was it for John who knew exactly who Jesus was, but for the spectators. Jesus was baptized for the benefit of the people who witnessed it in the flesh but also for those who witness it in Scripture. Jesus didn’t need to be baptized but we needed to know he got baptized regardless of need. The sermon develops the idea that Jesus was baptized so that we might see an example of the Christ doing something unnecessary for the benefit of others. Let me know what you think as you are able and inclined.
Blessings,
