Saint James UCC of Hamburg, NY

Isaiah 49:1-7; Matthew 3:13-17

Preached by Pastor Alva Looze
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Why was Jesus baptized? Folks like you, theologians, scholars, and I are puzzled why Jesus was baptized. Jesus tells us, "let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Jesus never explains that term and there isn't anything in the passage to help us understand why Jesus who was baptized by John for the repentance of sins, for he was sinless.

We all agree that Jesus in his baptism at the Jordan began his ministry with God's approval as he spoke from heaven and said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." That event is his life held much significance just as our baptism should be an outward and visible sign of the grace of God.

In the United Church of Christ people can be baptized anytime in their lives. "Baptism with water and the Holy Spirit is the mark of their acceptance into the care of Christ's church, the sign and seal of our participation in God's forgiveness, and the beginning of their new growth into full Christian faith and life." If we were baptized as children our parents and sponsors assumed the responsibility for nurturing us in the Christian faith. As we got older we were given the opportunity to make a personal profession of faith through confirmation.

"Water is an essential element of baptism. Water is a prominent symbol of cleansing and life in the Bible - the water of creation, the great flood, the liberation of Israel through the sea, the water of Mary's womb, the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, the woman at the well, and Jesus' washing the feet of the disciples." It is important to have baptism included in the worship service because a person becomes a member of Christ's church.

What happened after Jesus baptism? In his baptism Jesus identifies with us. He shows us the way of righteousness, the way of saving others, the way of understanding. Jesus does not "lord' his superior knowledge or virtue over others. What does he do? He goes about doing good, he sits with the disciples in their homes, he eats their food, he answers their questions, he laughs with them in their joy, and he cries with them in their sorrow. He is their teacher and preacher. He was with them just as he is with us.

Jesus shows us in his baptism that it is important to go beyond ourselves when seeking to do the work of God. He shows us that we should turn to God and seek God's help when we are trying to point the way to God to others. Jesus seeks John out at the Jordan River, a place where God's power and love was being proclaimed.

Let us now think about our baptism, our growing up years and what we are doing with our lives here and now. In my own life I think back on the many ways God prepared me to do the work that I am doing now. Times when the responsibilities of sick family members and the burdens seemed to heavy to carry but with God's help I got through them. Each time that something horrendous happened I would say, "God you have got to be kidding!" As I look around in my family, our congregation I see the different struggles and jobs people have taken. I see how God has blessed you in both your struggles and work.

As I was growing up I always thought that it was "Protestant ethics" that was instilled by my parents that made me perform whatever job I was doing to the best of my ability. Today I know that it is God that asks me to do the best that I can do. Whether I shovel snow, clean a bathroom, visit someone who is lonely or sick, preach a sermon it is God who has set me. Just as He has sent you to go about "doing our Fathers work here on earth". The attitude we give to our work shows our gratitude to God. How we approach our jobs each day shows others and ourselves our relationship with God.

Let us look back in history as see some of the people in their relationship with their work and their calling. God called Noah who was viniculture, a grower of grapes and the first person known to make wine. Noah followed divine instructions and constructed the ark out of gopher wood. Abraham was the head of a semi nomadic tribe, oversaw the herding of large flocks, and a seasonal farmer. God called him to be a father of a great nation. Jesus called Peter a fisherman. Peter and Andrew were baptized by John and learned from his teachings. They were fishermen, casting a net into the sea, and Jesus simply said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men".

Lydia was a Gentile who worshiped as a Jew, and a prosperous merchant who sold royal purple clothe. Lydia had either moved to Philippi or had access to a large house there. After she and her household were baptized she invited Paul and Silas to use her home as a center for their ministry while there were in town. Macedonian women were known for their independence, and Lydia's prominence allowed to her to overcome Jewish custom that would have prevented her from making such an offer.

Mary, Mark's mother let her house be used as a meeting place for the early Christians, one of the first examples of a home serving as a church. These are just a few examples of work done by followers of God and Jesus.

Ephesians 6:5-8 says "Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling; and do it with sincere heart, as though you were serving Christ. Do this not only when they are watching you, because you want to gain their approval; but with all your heart do what God wants, as slaves of Christ. Do your work as slaves cheerfully, as though you served the Lord, and not merely human beings. Remember that the Lord will reward each of us, whether slave or free, for the good work we do."

I know that we are not slaves, even though sometimes some of us feel we are slaves to our jobs or bosses but the attitude we give to our work shows us the sense of gratitude we have to God by giving us work. I know that sometimes we just dread getting up, going to work but God has blessed us with our work and we need to show to others that we are Christians in how we work together. When Jesus said at the age of 12, "Did you not know that I had to be in my Father's house?" Wherever our vocation we have been given this wonderful life and what we do with it is our gift to God. God wants to bless us in whatever work we have chosen.

An old university professor invited a group of alumni, all highly established in their respective careers for a visit. The conversation soon turned to complaints about the endless stress of work and life in general. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went into the kitchen, returned with a large pot of coffee and an electric assortment of cups: porcelain plastic, glass, crystal - some plain, some expensive, some quiet exquisite. Quietly he told them to help themselves to some fresh coffee.

When each of his former students had a cup of coffee in hand, the old professor quietly cleared his throat and began to patiently address the small gathering. "You may have noticed that all of the nicer looking cups were taken up first, leaving behind the plainer and cheaper ones. While it is only natural for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is actually the source of much of your stress-related problems."

He continued, "Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In fact, the cup merely disguises or dresses up what we drink. What each of you really wanted was coffee, not a cup, but you instinctively went for the best cups. Then you began eyeing each other's cups. Now consider this:

Life is coffee. Jobs, money, and position in society are merely cups. They are just tools to shape and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not truly define nor change the quality of the Life we live. Often, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee that God has provided us. God brews the coffee, but he does not supply the cups. Enjoy your coffee!"

The happiest people don't have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have. So please remember: Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God. And remember - the richest person is not the one who has the most, but the one who need the least.

I'm thankful for the special flavor you add to my coffee.

Amen