[Propertalk] Sermon ideas Baptism of Jesus - Jan. 9 - Part 3

[Joe Parrish]

It is possible to argue that Jesus' willingness to be baptized by John was an example of the first type of compromise. Jesus certainly didn't need a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. That's why John initially refused. Nor did his baptism preempt the forgiveness that is ours in the baptism of his death. Still, for our sake, passing through the waters in fulfillment of Exodus typology is a very powerful image of the dawning of the new age. If an image, rather than substance, then we could say it was an example of "all things to all men." Jesus payment of the temple tax in Matthew 17:24-27, is a perfect example of this type of compromise.

http://www.lectionarystudies.com/studyg/sunday1ag.html

Bryan Findlayson
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The church would look different if we lived out the revolutionary implications of baptism. The next time I baptize someone, I will ask that person, "Are you really ready for this revolution? It may just cost you your life!"

http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=2252

Brad Ronnell Braxton, 2002
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The baptism of Jesus the sinless one stands him in solidarity with the repentant ones,
those who came "confessing their sins" to be baptized by John "with water for repentance." The
sinless one stands with them but he will effect their salvation ("he will save his people from their
sins," Matt 1:21). But Jesus also stands in solidarity with the Baptizer himself. "For John came to
you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and harlots
believed him; and even when you saw it, you did not afterward repent and believe" (Matt 21:32).

http://www2.luthersem.edu/word&world/Archives/9-4_Ministry/9-4_Mork.pdf

Carol Mork, 1989
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With his baptism Jesus openly and decisively declared that he stands shoulder to shoulder with me in my fears and anxieties. He intentionally takes sides with people in their neediness, and declares that God is biased in their favor: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:15-16, NIV).

http://www.journeywithjesus.net/Essays/20080107JJ.shtml

Dan Clendenin, 2008 
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-"With you I am well pleased." God is well pleased with Jesus. One of the most important realities of life is to know that God is well pleased not only with Jesus, but with us as well. God delights in Jesus and also delights in us. God delights in our God given uniqueness, even though we are sinful by nature. To know that God is pleased with us transforms our lives. We are pleased when someone declares that they are pleased with us, and we assume that Jesus was pleased when he heard that God was pleased with him.

http://www.sermonsfromseattle.com/series_b_baptism_of_jesus.htm

Edward F. Markquart
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By stepping into the Jordan River with John, Jesus signs his own death certificate. The church would look so different if we truly lived out the revolutionary implications of baptism. Unfortunately, throughout Christian history, believers often have spent more time fighting over the mode of baptism (e.g., immersion, sprinkling, in the name of the Trinity, or in Jesus' name only) than fathoming the depths of its meaning. The next time I baptize someone, I will be sure to ask that person, "Are you really ready for this revolution? It may just cost you your life!" 

http://www.theafricanamericanlectionary.org/PopupLectionaryReading.asp?LRID=6

Brad R. Braxton, 2008
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When we say that Jesus is God's son, going about the family business, we are saying not only that Jesus is like God; we are saying that God is like Jesus 

http://www.sarahlaughed.net/lectionary/2005/01/first_sunday_af.html

Sarah Dylan Breuer 
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