Good day dear friends. We shared the update we had on Cindy Gratz yesterday and she continues on the mend but with some concerns. A small spinal fluid leak was found near the base of her spine and this has kept her in Critical Care, but Bob and doctors are optimistic about this being corrected. Please continue to hold Cindy in your prayers.
We studied the meaning of Baptism in our worship services yesterday. Pastor Leslie preached at both traditional services and I preached at our Contemporary service. Pastor Leslie shared a wonderful sermon on baptism and mine was an overview of all that we believe is involved in our sacrament.
Our study guide this week was written by Pastor Leslie and here it is:
Let's look again at Jesus' baptism by John in the Jordan River. Mark 1:9-15 includes a brief description of Jesus' days in the desert following his baptism. Read more about Jesus' temptation in the desert in Matthew 4:1-11.
Here is the Mark passage: 1:9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And 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. 11 And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." 12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. 14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."
He, who was without sin, presented himself to receive this washing of sins by John at the Jordan River. Such was Jesus' love for humanity that he presents himself at this invitation to relationship with God the Father along with those whose hearts were being touched by John's invitation. "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand" was the invitation, and it cut right to the hearts of all who heard it and understood. Matthew 3 reports huge turnouts from people from Jerusalem and all Judea. Men and women who felt that they needed to be free from the burden and guilt of sin. This baptism was the freedom and the power they needed for abundant living. Baptism was the invitation to enter into the fullness of God's love. I shared an old story about a little boy who did something to one of the family animals. He thought no one had seen him but someone had. It was his older sister who told him, "I know what you did and I'm going to tell Mom and Dad." The little boy pleaded for her not to tell including the words, "I'll do anything you want just please don't tell!" That night at supper it was Sissy's turn to do the dishes and guess who ends up doing them? Her brother. This made mom and dad wonder what was going on, but said nothing. The mom then told Sissy she needed to clean up her room. Guess who cleaned it up? Her brother. All the chores that Sissy was assigned got done by her brother. The grandmother who lived with the family sat the brother down and asked, "Sissy has something on you doesn't she?" Yes, replied the brother. "Well, confess your sin to your parents and you'll be free from the burden of that guilt that's keeping you a prisoner to your sister." The boy did and was free. So it is with us when we carry the burden of sin. And when John says there is a way out through baptism, many responded.
Through baptism Jesus received the blessing of being called God's "beloved Son." It was an affirmation to what Jesus was called to; thus through baptism Jesus received that which he needed to begin his forty days of preparation in the wilderness.
Matthew's account of those forty days includes full detail of all Jesus experienced, unlike Mark's. "1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." 4 But he answered, "It is written, "One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.' " 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, "He will command his angels concerning you,' and "On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.' " 7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' " 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9 and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." 10 Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written, "Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.' " 11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
As we continue our Lenten journey, thank God for your baptism. Though you may have been an infant and you may not remember all that went on, God does, for God was present and it was God who welcomed you into the Body of Christ. If you're not baptized, now would be a good time to prayerfully consider receiving this sacrament. A call to the church office will put you in touch with us and we can sit down and discuss all that is involved.
Remember that any spiritual undertaking is not easy. It requires the starting point of prayer and a daily dosage of God's word for our lives. Take your Lenten journey seriously, step by step. Use this forty day period as a time of growth and blessing. Remember as God affirmed to Jesus, you and I are not alone, God is with us.
PRAYER: God of the journey, walk with me today. Let me grow closer to You in all ways. In Christ Jesus' name I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
PS Don't forget that Thursday at noon, you're invited to a Lenten Liturgy and Luncheon. We'll start in Lowman Chapel and if we need, we can move to the sanctuary. Lunch will be soup, bread, and water in Todd Hall.
Everyone's invited.
