Baptized in water

In tomorrow's Gospel (John 1:6-8, 19-28) we again meet John the Baptizer. This time he is being investigated by the religious authorities from Jerusalem, who have come out to the wilderness. They don't come to get baptized, although some of them might have done so eventually.

Instead, they come to interrogate John. He is causing a stir. "Who are you?" "What do you say for yourself?" and the big question: "Are you the Messiah?" You're not the Messiah? So why are you baptizing?

John answered: "I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal." The next day Jesus came to John for his own baptism, and after some argument and discussion, John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. Why would Jesus do that? was it to identify with the corporate sins of humanity? Was it to set an example for us to follow and be baptized?

Whatever the answer and the reason, we still baptize with water, and God still approves.


In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar, Holy Cross Church Episcopal
http://www.holycrosschurchbillings.org/
406-208-7314
artwork: http://www.historycomesalive.ca/biblical/images/baptist3.jpg