Taking the Plunge: Mark 1:4-11 - Baptism of Our Lord

⁴John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁵And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. ⁶Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. ⁷He proclaimed, “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. ⁸I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

  ⁹In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰And 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. ¹¹And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” (NRSV)

 

 

https://flic.kr/p/8v69gV

 

Every year, about a dozen brave souls take the plunge into the icy cold waters of the Lower Lake at Camp Lutherlyn, as part of their annual fundraising drive. One of those brave/crazy souls was my colleague and friend, Pastor Ryan Pusch of Hebron and St. Paul’s Highfield Churches.

 

I don’t know, but I’ve been told that jumping into icy water is “exhilarating.” I’ll take their word for it…. This year, the water was so cold that one of the plungers had to walk out onto the lake with a shovel and break up the ice so he could jump in. You can watch the plunge on YouTube.

 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus stands face-to-face with John the Baptizer. He’s the one John foretold who will baptize with the Holy Spirit; but here he is, waist-deep in the water, having waited his turn, ready to be baptized with water.

 

Unlike in Matthew, where John initially objects to baptizing Jesus, Mark has John baptizing Jesus as though he’s just another body in the vast multitude.

 

We, who hear this Gospel, are left to wonder, what’s going on?

 

We know that Jesus does not to be baptized. He doesn’t need forgiveness or repentance; he doesn’t even need to be saved from anything. Jesus is not like us. Though he is human, he is God.

 

Nevertheless, Jesus takes the plunge. When he comes up out of the water, the heavens are torn apart; the Spirit enters Jesus, and a heavenly voice proclaims, “you are my Son, the Beloved; I am well pleased with you.”

 

Why is God pleased? Because Jesus has taken the plunge into the world God loves; and the Holy Spirit has in turn plunged into him. The fulness of who God is now dwells on earth in Jesus. Jesus’s baptism begins his immersion into humanity. How deep will his immersion go? As we confess in the Creed, Jesus “descended into hell,” because that’s the lowest you can go—and still, Jesus goes there for you, and he is mighty to save.

 

Therefore, Jesus’s baptism is way beyond some rite of passage; it is Jesus emptying himself into you; into the Church; into this world and all its woes. This is what pleases God: the relationship that Jesus will have with humanity; that Christ will live in you as you live through him by faith.

 

From the highest heights all the way to the depths of hell, Jesus is baptized into you, both in life and in death.

 

Baptism is how we are to understand our relationship with Jesus Christ—and who we are as people of God.

 

Think of what it means to say, “I’m baptized” versus “I’m a Christian.” One of these things you do. The other is what God does. There’s a big difference.

 

I’d rather put my faith in God than human flesh, because sometimes, you can’t keep the faith. You slip and fall into chaotic waters. Your strength fails. You cannot rescue yourself.

 

You can claim a Christian identity, but you will fall short of what it demands. You’re a sinner. You fail to love the Lord your God, and your neighbor as yourself. And sometimes, you get your Christianity wrong. Your ambitions, your convictions, your ego lead you astray, and you don’t even know it. You seek God, but only for what you can get from him. To be in the know. To be in the right. To make all your dreams come true.

 

Standing on the shores of God’s promises, it will almost always seem easier, safer, expedient to not take the plunge; and instead, go your own way. Look out for number one. Trust your own wisdom and strength. To stay in control.

 

But here’s the thing—no matter how deep you fall; no matter how far you wonder from God; if believing in God becomes impossible—you are baptized; and nothing can change that. Jesus’s love for you does not let go; even when you’re cold as ice, or when the fires of hell burn around you. From the Jordan River, to the cross, to the depths of hell, to the empty tomb—Jesus is all in—and he’s in it for you.

 

His is a love that does not leave alone.

 

His invitation and his challenge to you is to take the plunge into him; instead of playing it safe and remaining on shore.  Do the good that is in you to do when it’s easier to do nothing. Give and share when it’s easier to keep. Do the right thing instead of your own thing. Stop filling yourself up with other things and be filled by Jesus.

 

This is what pleases God—to baptize you every day in Jesus’s life, love, and forgiveness. Not what you accomplish or achieve in pursuit of God’s favor, but what God delights to do to you.

 

Dive into a grace and love that never lets go.