Looking Ahead to January 16, 2022 -- Baptism of Christ Sunday

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 The Scripture Readings this week are:

• Isaiah 62:1-7,10-12
• Psalm 18:2-11, 16-19
• Matthew 3:1-6, 11-17

The Sermon title is Called, Beloved, Supported

Early Thoughts: Are you a beloved child of God? What does it mean to you to hear that you are a called, beloved, supported child of God? What does it mean to belong to a community that is called, beloved and supported by God?

This week's Isaiah reading is from the time of exile, talking about the time of return and renewal. It talks about how Jerusalem will be healed from her trauma and destruction. Is that part of being a beloved supported child of God? Are we also promised renewal and restoration from our our traumas?

Psalm 18 comes from David, during his time of conflict with Saul, after he has escaped from peril. For David, being a beloved, called, supported child of God means that God will deliver him. God will protect. God will hear. God will be a rock, a fortress, a shield. Is that part of our promise?

Then we have Matthew's account of Jesus and John at the Jordan. John has been a voice in the wilderness, calling God's people to repentance. John has been sharing a hope, a promise, a prediction of one who will come, one who will bring pour out the Holy Spirits on the people as an act of baptism. John seems reluctant to baptize Jesus, the roles seem reversed in John's mind.

In the verses omitted from this week's reading there is a reference to the children of Abraham. Often that phrase is used in Scripture (both Jewish and Christian) to refer to the descendants of Isaac, son of Sarah. Sometimes in Christian circles it has been expanded to include non-Jewish Christians as "spiritual descendants" of Abraham. But the stories in Genesis make it clear that the descendants of Ishmael, son of Hagar are also children of Abraham. Is it possible that the list of the called, beloved, supported children of God is broader than we wish to admit?

As Christians we baptize folk because Jesus was baptized. As Christians we proclaim that in our baptism we too are called, claimed and commissioned. We too are beloved and supported children of God. Just like Jerusalem, our communities are beloved by God. Will we be restored and renewed? Will we be delivered and protected? What might that look and feel like?
--Gord