Sermon for Sunday 1/8/12 “Baptized” Mark 1:4-11
The text of the sermon delivered by Rev. Kirk Moore at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL on Sunday, January 8, 2012.
This morning’s Bible reading is from Mark 1:4-11
Locusts and Wild Honey
John the baptizer was an outdoorsy-type. I love the rugged description of him in this week’s reading from Mark 1:4-11. Camel’s hair clothing (it’s all the rage, you know) with a leather belt (not purchased from a designer).
He sounds like the Old Testament prophet he is often compared to, and even identified with, Elijah. In 2 Kings 2:8, Elijah is described like this: “A hairy man, with a leather belt around his waist.”
It’s possible that John was presenting himself as the new Elijah – the one that was here to begin the restoration of all things. It’s also possible that he lived the rugged life as a curiosity to get more people to come and investigate this strange wilderness man.
He had a diet that sounds Fear Factor-ey. (I’m so glad that TV show is back. You may disagree . . .)
“Who wants to go see the guy that eats locusts and wild honey? This should be fun!”
And while the curious were there to see the side show, they heard a message they couldn’t forget.
Return to God – be baptized – be forgiven.
Without the benefit of any of the temple priests for mediation.
Oh my. Let the trouble begin.
John had another message.
“The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.”
There’s someone else coming? What’s better than a message that invites folks to be forgiven without the benefit of any of the temple priests?
And John said, “I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Huh? Is there a difference? What are you talking about? You’re talking about someone you’re not worthy to even untie the sandals of – but what is this baptized with the Holy Spirit stuff?
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
Oh. Yeah. That’s pretty impressive.
But what’s significant here? The sky opening up? A bird descending and landing on Jesus? The voice from heaven saying to Jesus, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
All of those things point to Jesus as being “the one” — the one who will change everything – the one who the outdoorsy-type announced.
The one who would continue what John was doing.
The theme of return to God – be baptized – be forgiven wasn’t something brand new or even revolutionary. God’s people had been messing up and then returning to God forever. But somewhere in the process, the returning to God had become something that only the educated or credentialed were able to facilitate.
And John was offering it to the ones who wanted to see the side-show in the wilderness.
And Jesus then went and started preaching the good news to the poor, the outcast, the neglected, the rejected, and the forgotten.
And a ministry like that is bound to get you into trouble with the ones who act as the gatekeepers to goodness.
Folks – the educated and the credentialed of our day in the church – the ministers – aren’t any better or worse than anyone else. God doesn’t hear our prayers louder. God doesn’t look at us and say, “You’re the only one who can do this.” Or something like that.
Sure — we preach and we teach. We perform weddings, offer communion, and perform baptisms. But it isn’t because we’re the gatekeepers to God. As individuals, all of God’s children can return to God. As communities of faith – all of God’s children can return to God.
I read a quote the other day, attributed to evangelist Craig Laurie. I don’t know Craig or even much about him. I do love this quote, however.
“Jesus did not say that the whole world should go to church. Essentially He said that the church should go to the whole world.”
It isn’t about guilting folks to come to church. It isn’t about being the gatekeepers who, when they feel like it, offer God’s love to people in small doses. It’s not about calling out all the sins of the world. It’s not about deciding whom God loves – except for knowing that that means everyone. Being the church – being a follower of Jesus is about loving God and loving the whole world with the same passion.
That’s what we have to learn from John. That’s what we have to learn from Jesus. That’s the message that is loud and clear today – just as it was on the day Jesus was baptized.
Amen.
