The Animate Jesus: Matthew 3:13-17 - Baptism of Our Lord

¹³Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. ¹⁴John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” ¹⁵But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. ¹⁶And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. ¹⁷And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” (NRSV)

Meet Brownie Cuddles…

Brownie Cuddles

Brownie Cuddles is one of the largest teddy bears you can buy, at six feet tall, with a waist girth of sixty five inches.

But if six feet STILL isn’t big enough for you, head down to the local Costco for their exclusive HugFun bear.  Be sure a rent a U-Haul—because at 93 inches tall, you’re going to need it! 

With Christmas two weeks past, now is the perfect time to give that special someone a Valentine’s gift they’ll never forget. 

For me, this is probably the last gift I’d consider for Elizabeth or Becca.   I’m sure I’d feel different if I were a soldier serving overseas.  It may be soft and cuddly, but at the end of the day, it’s an inanimate object.  It can only symbolize love and companionship.

Sometimes, I think we Christians treat Jesus like a Teddy Bear.  He’s your best friend to take with you wherever you go.  You walk with him and talk with him.  Whenever you’re sick or scared, you cuddle up with him.  He helps you feel safe and secure no matter where you are.

I have yet to see a Jesus doll, but we wear our crosses and hang pictures of him on our walls.  We call ourselves “Christian.” 

So what kind of a relationship is this?  Is this what Jesus intended when he was baptized?

One of the biggest mistakes Christians make when it comes to baptism is reducing it to ritual.  In other words, it’s something you do.  You’re fulfilling a requirement.  It’s a “get out of hell free card” you can stash away until you need it…

If this was what God intended for baptism, John the Baptist is right to object to baptizing Jesus, lest people get the wrong idea about Jesus.

But baptism isn’t about ritual.  It’s about relationship.  Jesus comes to John for baptism in order to fully immerse himself into human reality.  The reason why we celebrate Jesus’ baptism today is because Jesus is immersing himself in your reality and into the life of the world.  This is greater than companionship.  It’s greater than accompaniment.  At your baptism, your life and Jesus’ life meet and are permanently fused together.  Your life becomes his life.  His life becomes your life.  One birth, one life, and one destiny…

What’s more is that Jesus is baptized into everything that brings you fear, sorrow, and shame.  Baptized into Christ, you receive hope, comfort, and forgiveness.  You can move forward into the future with his guidance and strength carrying you through. 

And yet none of this happens if you treat Jesus like a teddy bear.  All too often, teddy bears end up neglected and discarded.  The same thing happens with Jesus if your bible gets dusty; if there’s no time for Word and Sacraments; and if you are not identifying yourself in the struggles and pains of others…

Today’s empty churches are a sure sign that too Christians are settling for a Teddy Bear Jesus and truly missing out on what he’s doing in the world.

I’m reminded of a school in Colorado where a nine-year-old girl was diagnosed with cancer.  If cancer wasn’t bad enough, she would be going to school bald as a result.  When her best friend found out, she wanted to help.  So she shaved herself bald.  Soon, her effort blossomed into a school-wide event where eighty students and several teachers shaved their heads.

Obviously, this didn’t make the girl’s cancer go away.  But it made a world of difference for everyone!  She did not have to face her cancer alone.

This is what does for you and me—but he doesn’t just shave his head, he gives his life on the cross.  He is baptized into your life, your death, and everything in between. 

And there’s nowhere you can go—and nothing you can do—that will change that.  You can be in a hospital bed or a nursing home; in a jail cell or sleeping out in the street…  One thing you can count on: his presence means salvation. 

So don’t be an inanimate Christian!  Don’t settle for a teddy bear Jesus!  Jesus wants to speak to you in the Word.  Jesus wants to hear your prayers.  Jesus wants to forgive your sins.  Jesus wants to give you his body and blood.  Don’t stay on the sidelines as Jesus heals this world.  Join him!  Let Jesus draw you to others.  Be animated with God’s love!  Let Jesus be the Lord who will bless you and keep you!