"God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; …he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him" (Acts 10:38).

Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River provides one of the traditional Epiphany stories, and it provides as well the matter for our celebration of the Feast of the Baptism of Christ. The way in which this feast falls in our calendar makes it a point of transition, from the celebration of Christmas to the stories of Christ’s ministry that we will hear during Epiphany. Jesus’ baptism is the beginning of his public ministry, as he begins the journey that will take him to Jerusalem. In many ways, the story of his baptism sums up again some of the themes of the Christmas story, and then shows how they will be worked out in Jesus’ ministry.

Let’s look at Luke’s story of the Savior’s birth once again. Gabriel’s message to Mary at the Annunciation had made plain what God’s plan was: "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David" (Lk. 1:32). The angels’ message to the shepherds had added, "to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord" (Lk. 2:11). All the indications, as Luke recounts them in his Gospel, from the very beginning, had pointed toward Jesus’ ministry as Son of God and Savior.

The scene at his baptism repeats these themes, and initiates his ministry. The voice from heaven proclaims Jesus’ standing as God’s Son, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased" (Lk. 3:22). John the Baptist, when questioned in our Gospel today, makes it clear that he himself is not the Messiah, the anointed king, but that Jesus is the one who is to come after him, and who is mightier than he (Lk. 3:15-16). The story of Jesus’ baptism picks up once again the themes of Christmas, the themes of the Savior’s birth, and makes them the basis of the work that Jesus will do.

Jesus is Son of God; Jesus is King; Jesus is Savior; Jesus is Lord. Our second reading, from the Acts of the Apostles (also written by the Gospel writer Luke), shows us how these assertions are worked out in Jesus’ ministry. "He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him." God is with him, God is well pleased in him; and the work which this enables is the salvation of the human race that the angels promised to the shepherds. Jesus’ ministry is about salvation, the restoration of wholeness and peace to humanity. The origin of the word salvation is found, after all, in the concept of healing; the miracles of healing which Jesus performed (and which our second reading refers to) were signs of a more profound healing that was in store for the sinful human race. Jesus has come to bring the blessing, and it is salvation for humanity.

Baptism is the way in which that blessing is extended to us. Our second reading from Acts is a part of the story of the baptism of Cornelius and his household, the first Gentiles admitted to membership in God’s People the Church. Peter preaches a sermon of sorts to those assembled, and in response the Holy Spirit comes upon them. "Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" (Acts 10:47), Peter says as the soldier’s household is brought into the Christian community.

The Baptism which we celebrate today is a reminder of the new life that has been extended to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the means, as well, by which we share sacramentally in his death and resurrection, and are given the gift of the Spirit to live the new life. Jesus shares new life with us through outward and visible signs of his inward and spiritual grace; new life that comes through water that is poured and words that are spoken and through the faith of the community. Deliverance, salvation, healing, is the theme, through this water that is the means of life in Christ.

Today, Conner, a member of Caroline and Brian’s household, stands in the same place as all those members of Cornelius’ household did many years ago. The Spirit is at work in his family, and salvation is here to be celebrated through the washing of water, with the word. There is much to be thankful for, not only by this particular household, but also by all the members of the Church, God’s household, as we remember our own baptisms, and the grace that was given us there.

The Feast of Christ’s Baptism sums up once again the themes of the Christmas celebration, and sends us forward into the story of Jesus’ ministry, and our contemplation once again of the salvation and new life that it holds for us.

The Rev’d John Bauerschmidt is Rector of Christ Church, Covington.

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