Scheduled Readings: Genesis 1:1–5; Psalm 29; Acts 19:1–7; Mark 1:4–11
The first Sunday in Epiphany emphasizes the baptism of Jesus. The theme of Light continues in the reading of the creation account in Genesis 1 where we see that God himself is the source of all light. I’m not crazy about the use of Ps 29 in this thematic context; I think it’s an interpretive stretch to associate the idiom of water in Ps 29 with baptism (and this is an example of how the use of the Revised Common Lectionary requires ongoing attention and discernment).
But the major theme of this day is Christ’s baptism. And this brings up the question (among others), why did Jesus submit himself to baptism? All four Gospel writers include some mention of this event that inaugurates Jesus’ public ministry, and Matthew gives us a clue when he recounts the conversation between John and Jesus before the former baptized the latter. Jesus said “let it be so for now, for it is appropriate for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matt 3:15).
Jesus came to be baptized with John’s baptism because it is what righteous people were doing: they were coming from all around in response to the powerful preaching of John the Baptizer. He called them to repentance and to Messiah-watchfulness, and they were responding in droves. John’s baptism—which was unique although not entirely unprecedented in view of the practice of Jewish proselyte baptism—was a mark of those who desired righteousness. Jesus joined them because he embodied that righteousness and because he identified with the people who needed that righteousness. In his baptism, Jesus demonstrates that he has become one of us. Years later, Paul would say it this way: God sent “his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as a sin offering” (Rom 8:3). In submitting to John’s baptism, Jesus is publicly embracing this reality.
Now, our baptism—Christian baptism, which is in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit—is different from John’s baptism. This is clear in the reading of Acts 19 scheduled for this week. But there is also a similarity. Our baptism in water is in a way our response to Jesus’ baptism and all it portends: in the latter, he identifies with us; in the former, we publicly identify with him.
As I ponder the baptism of Jesus this morning, I am humbled by his willingness to “fulfill all righteousness” in this way and identify with me, a sinner. His submission to John’s baptism of repentance was a deeply self-humbling act, for in it he affirmed that he is “one of us.” And I am greatly encouraged, because as he identifies with his people in this way we see him as our substitute: the only one who is truly, infinitely, perfectly righteous and therefore able to pay the penalty of sin and bring us back to God.
Now, a related tangent — This connects to a theme that has been running through a number of conversations I’ve had recently along the lines of “strength,” particularly what it means to act in God’s strength instead of my own. In fact, for some time now I’ve been suspicious of the concept of doing something “in my own strength,” and Lent gives me an ideal opportunity to ponder it biblically (with thanks to a few Facebook friends who commented on this, my Cornerstone gospel community, and my sister in Christ, Emilie, who beat me to the punch on her blog). Continue reading 
