This Sunday is celebrated in worship by many congregations as The Baptism of Our Lord Sunday. We have little in our Bible that tells us much about Jesus’ childhood and teen years. And we have quickly covered that! In the last two Sermons we looked at Jesus around age 12 learning AND teaching in the Temple. “Growing in wisdom and stature.” And we saw him as the Holy Child visited by the Wise Men from the East. That’s about it for Jesus as child, youth, young adult in the New Testament.

But, now….. With the Baptism of Jesus by John in the Jordan, the life of Jesus moves with story after story and parable after parable. Teaching and healing! His ministry is underway in a big way…all the way to Calvary…Tomb…and Resurrection. THIS is now the Greatest Story!

I hope to not get caught up in the history of how Christians have differed in emphasis on baptism but we will take a brief walk down history lane. Then we will be asked to Remember Our Baptism as is fitting for us Wesleyans! I hope for the End Result to be utter confidence that God has demonstrated love toward us in an “outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.”
Since YOU are “the temple of the Holy Spirit” receive this blessing:

“Christus Mansionem Benedicat”

Pastor Barry