The Heart of a Pastor

Text study - Matthew 3:13-17 (The baptism of Jesus)

"the one thing that encourages me in this whole thing is seeing how deeply vested we all are in the church and her practices. Everybody contributing to this discussion here and on other blogs are doing so because we care so deeply. That is a very good thing!" (Luther Punk)

Well said...and yes...thank you for all the energy and wonderful dialog around the issue of lay presidency.  I am by no means cutting off or finished with this lively and healthy dialog.  There is definitely some deep seeded beliefs about lay presidency.  I do see what Luther Punk is saying about calling and gifts and I will be exploring that some more, but right now it doesn't change my belief about lay presidency.  The openness that has been shown is quite amazing and and for that I am thankful.

But now I would like to move to the Gospel text for Sunday from Matthew 3:13-17 and maybe get into a discussion about the other sacrament -- baptism.  According the the lectionary, this Sunday (January 13) is called "The Baptism of our Lord".  Since Epiphany is about revealing who Jesus is the text seems very appropriate as God announces from heaven after Jesus is baptized, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17)

But the questions I want to ponder are ones that always seem to come up when we deal with the text about Jesus being baptized.  The questions are this:  Why did Jesus have to be baptized? and When Jesus says that this must be done to fulfill all righteousness...what does he mean by "all righteousness?  Both are very good questions and of course I have my own thoughts about what is going on.  And...has always...feel free to "correct" me if you feel I am "wrong" :)

When I think about baptism I go back to Romans 6 where Paul says that "if we have been united with him in a death like his we will certainly be untied with him in a resurrection like his."  Baptism here then is about being identified with Jesus or joined to Jesus.  Therefore, since we are identified with Jesus; what is his is now ours...not because of anything we have done but because Jesus first identified with us.

Now to Jesus' baptism...

...if John's baptism was for repentance for the forgiveness of sins, then why did Jesus need to be baptized?  Jesus was sinless and had no need to repent.  The way I see it is that by being baptized Jesus identified himself with sinners.  If Jesus was going to bring us to righteousness, he needed to identify with sinners...he needed to identify with us.  And because Jesus identifies with sinners Jesus understands very intimately what we need.  Jesus understands what must be done.  Jesus understands that he must die and rise so we can live.  So therefore it all comes down to identification.

What do you think of that?  What are your thoughts?  (Of course I still invite you thoughts on the issue of lay presidency which is posted below.)

Thank you again for you contributions and I look forward to many more lively conversations.  Take care and God bless!

-edh-

Never walking alone

Two weeks ago my wife, Connie (who also serves as Salem's parish nurse) began a program called "Walking and the Word".  At 6:30am on Wednesday mornings you meet at the church (with Connie) and go for a 1/2 hour walk.  Upon your return you head to the church fellowship hall for b-fast (coffee, juice and something healthy to eat) and devotions with me -- hence "Walking and the Word".  After three weeks we have 3 faithful walkers.  But whether anyone shows up or not, Connie and I will be there -- exercising, enjoying breakfast and devotions.

Today, Connie was out of town for a meeting so that meant I was in charge of everything -- including the walking -- which was (and is) fine.  I got up at 5:30am and got b-fast ready and the coffee maker set.  At 6am I went outside to prepare for a short run before the walkers arrived.  As I was stretching out a Suburban pulled into the parking lot.  It was W.  W is a sweet man.  He always spoils Connie and I at Christmas with a gift certificate to a fancy restaurant.  This morning W got out of his vehicle and said, "No one should walk alone or walk alone in life.  So I will walk with you."  I couldn't help but smile.  I explained to him the walkers arrive in a 1/2 hour and that I was going for a run before we walk.  I invited him to come back at 6:30 but he said he is not much of a walker...he just didn't want me to walk alone.  We chatted for a while and then he left to have coffee with the guys.

What a great thing to say, "No one should ever walk alone".  How true...how true.  No one should EVER walk alone and no one does when it come to Christ.  But here on this earth many people still "walk alone".  They grieve alone, deal with problems alone, celebrate alone, cry alone. 

"No one should ever walk alone"

Most if not all of us know people who "walk alone".  We know people who feel isolated because of choice or because of life circumstances.  They may feel lost and don't know what to do.  But whether it is a choice or life circumstance...

..."No one should ever walk alone"...

...so go and "walk" with them.  Remind them that with Christ they never truly walk alone.  They never truly grieve alone or deal with problems alone or...you get the picture. 

"No one should ever walk alone" is a nice thing to say but an even better thing to put into practice. W does it literally and figuratively.  So pull a W...pull off the "road"...step outside your comfort zone...and "walk" or walk with someone.  Because..."No one should ever walk alone".  Thanks W...and...happy "walking" to all.

-edh-

Five Things I Dig about Jesus

I have been tagged by a fellow blogger and have been asked to share five things I dig about Jesus. Afterward I am to tag five other people and leave a link in their comment section so we can keep track of what is shared.  The origin of this meme can be found at John Smulo's blog.  So...he it goes:

(1) Jesus was not (and is not) repulsed by "sinners" (like the wild naked man running through the tombs and me).

(2) When pushed by the "powers that be" (and even by His very own disciples) Jesus stood His ground.  He knew His mission and kept His face set toward the cross.

(3) Jesus was the first youth director:  "Let the little children come to me and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs". (Mt. 19:14)

(4) Jesus is always ready to leave the 99 in order to search for the one (me) who has strayed.

(5) Jesus loves me so much that He was willing to endure such torture and pain and die on a cross that I may live forever with Him.

There is more I could add to this list, but five is all that was asked for.  Now...the five people that have been tagged are as follows:

David
P.S.
Kevin
Chris
Rick

I hope you five are O.K. with me tagging you but I would love to read your lists.

-edh-