Baptism of our Lord Is

Baptism of our Lord Is. 43:1-7, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 1/07/07

As many of you know, I am an only child from a very small family. I have three cousins with whom I’ve never been close. We don’t even exchange Christmas cards and they probably don’t know whether I still exist since we haven’t had contact in years. I mention this, not to complain, but rather to explain my amazement and fascination with much larger families.

I know that relationships within large families are not always perfect or even enjoyable.

-Uncle Mack may embarrass the family with his weakness for (well, we won’t get into that)…

-Aunt Prisilla may make a pest of herself getting into everyone’s business…

-Cousin Jack is so ornery he’s about to be dropped from the family reunion invitation list

-A sister or brother may fail you at the worst possible moment

-And you may wish there weren’t so many people who know your name and claim you as a relation…especially when they need something.

But, have no doubt, knowing that there’s a group to which you’ll always belong, that there’s always the possibility of having someone who knows you intimately and still loves you, and that you have a wide choice of people to call on in time of trouble is a treasure.

Perhaps, that’s why I so love that phrase from Isaiah 43, “I have called you by name, you are mine. Even those who haven’t a soul in the world, in the way of human family, can be comforted by the knowledge that they belong to a divine family.

Even if we think no one knows or cares if we exist, we can trust that the One who promises He has called us by name finds our existence of vital importance to Him. More than just knowing our names like they are recorded in that big book of who’s been naughty or nice, God knows us personally and is aware of even the tiniest events in our lives.

A famous preacher, Charles Spurgeon wrote in a sermon, “God sees you as much as if there were nobody else in the world for him to look at…The infinite mind of God is able to grasp a million objects at once and yet to focus as much on one as if there were nothing else but that one…God sees you with his eyes, with the whole of his sight…you…You…YOU are the particular object of his attraction at this and every moment.”

Sometimes, Spurgeon’s words may not be all that comforting. There are things we’d maybe rather God didn’t know we are doing, thinking or feeling. In fact, we may find the thought of God’s awareness of us down-right scary if our consciences aren’t completely clear.

This is when we need to reread our Gospel lesson. Though the relationship between Jesus and the Father is special, through baptism we become part of God’s family – Jesus’ brothers and sisters – and thus, are the “Beloved” too. What an unutterably extraordinary fact. Each of us, - George, Mary, Joe, Ida, Devin, Natalie, Bob, even Elsa, and (say your name!) is beloved by God.

Now, someone might claim that it’s not possible. That Jesus earned the right to be called the “Beloved” and we, after all, are sinners who deserve nothing. It certainly is true that we deserve nothing, but even so, look at our Gospel again. We are only in the third chapter of Luke. Jesus hasn’t started His ministry yet, much less lived out the ultimate obedience to His Father’s will.

No. God is calling Jesus the “Beloved” before He’s done anything. Furthermore, Jesus has the same freedom of will that all humans have and could still choose to go His own way, save Himself, seek His own pleasure. God is calling Jesus, “the Beloved” not because of who Jesus is, but because of who God the Father is. He calls Him, “the Beloved” because He just plain loves Jesus, - no strings attached. Jesus is family and that’s all God needs to see Him as qualified to be beloved.

And the same is true for us. We are family. God has claimed us, as His own. We are the Beloved. No matter our weaknesses, no matter our peculiarities, no matter our sins, no matter our response to Him even, God accepts us, God calls us by name, God loves us…and always will.

This is beyond comprehension. We can’t begin to even imagine love so complete and free. The concept is as beyond us as what Spurgeon claimed is God’s ability to grasp a million objects at once and yet see each of us as if we were all that existed. When something is too hard for us to understand the temptation is to dismiss it, or perhaps accept it, but not think too much about it.

It may not be that important that we struggle with the idea of God seeing us, but it is vital that we lay hold of God’s extraordinary love. Family may fail us or circumstances may separate us from those we’re closest to. But, God will be with us, supporting us, affirming us, calling us by name all the days of our lives.

When we feel overwhelmed and alone, knowing deep inside that we are “the Beloved” can carry us through.

When we do something we believe would prevent even our mothers from loving us, knowing that we are “the Beloved” simply because God loves us can give us the courage to overcome.

When we face death and doubt our salvation, knowing we are “the Beloved” will give us hope and confidence.

In the meantime, remind yourself everyday that you are the Beloved. Luxuriate in that knowledge. Wrap yourself in it. Glory in it. Absorb it into every fiber of your being. Live in it, live out of it, live for it, every day of your life.