In this morning’s reading from the Gospel of Mark (1:4-11) we heard not only the story of the Baptism of Jesus, but also words that should help us to have a clearer understanding of the true meaning of Baptism. Baptism for many centries has been a symbolic cleansing, a washing away, of the sins which an individual has committed. At the same time Baptism is also understood to be a time of the new uniting between an individual and God, upon being Baptized we are pledging ourselves to live a life dedicated to following the will of God.
In the Methodist tradition, the age of those being Baptized has become younger over the centuries. In The United Methodist Book of Worship the words of introduction to the section on the Baptismal Covenant inform us that, “The Baptismal Coventant is God’s word to us, proclaiming our adoption by grace, and our word to God, promising our response of faith and love.”[1]
Most individuals Baptized now within the United Methodist Church cannot speak for themselves, and so they have sponsors who make the promise to help bring the child into the household of God. At a later date, when the child is old enough to understand the true meaning of Baptism, they are allowed to make their personal profession of faith in a service called Confirmation.
There is also a vast difference between the symbolic act of Baptism and the genuine act of Baptism by the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist clearly understood this difference between the symbolic act and the genuine act of Baptism. He told those who had gathered around him, “I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”[2]
John understood that he was not even worthy to untie the sandals that Jesus was wearing, but Jesus calmly told John to go ahead and perform the Baptizm. But how could John wash away the sins of Jesus? I do understand John’s hesitations; how can I wash away the sins of a new baby?
My understanding of sin is a willful comission or omission. My understanding of sin is for an individual to disobey or ignore the will of God. How is it possible for a baby to have sinned? How is it possible for Jesus to have sinned?
And so we have come to the second part of the service of Baptism. Baptism is more than just being washed clean of past sin. Baptism is also about being dedicated to the will of God.
Each one of us here today who has been Baptized has been spiritually washed clean, and we have been dedicated to the will of God. Those of us who were Baptized as children have had an adult sponsor who did promise to nurture us and guide us by their examples until we accepted God’s Grace for ourselves. Some of us who are here today have taken on the responsibility of standing up and nurturing such a child.
However, there may be some who would try to claim that they have never pledged to nurture any one who has ever been Baptized. Be careful … for if you have ever been in a United Methodist congregation during the time of a Baptism, there is at the end a part where the presiding Pastor askes the entire congregation, “Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life and include this child now before you in your care?” [page 38 of the United Methodist Hymnal]
On the day that Jesus was Baptized by John, when Jesus came back to the surface of the water, the Spirit descended, “and a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’” [3]
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