Context: We are not long into the the 3rd year (C) of the Lectionary during which we begin to study the book of Luke. Long called a friend of women followers of Christ due to the large amount of space devoted to them, closer study of those passages according to Jane Schaberg of the Women's Bible Commentary reveals the women of Luke's gospel as "models of subordinate service" in "an attempt to legitimize male dominance" in the Christian community he wrote for. She finds this problematic due to the subtle way the text leads one to accept with few questions "the depicted gender roles as divinely ordained."
As we study the book of Luke we allow the text to challenge us to be faithful in our quest for truth and find empowerment along the way. We will also pay close attention to Luke's attention to the marginalized and oppressed. Perhaps we will even take a look at the unique way Luke references the Hebrew Scriptures (OT) in his story-telling with the use of parallel stories. The book of Luke was probably written by a well-educated Gentile Christian around 85-90 CE (after the destruction of the temple in 70 CE). It will be important for us to read closely his account so that we do not read into it by merging the accounts of the other gospel writers for each writer has a unique way of telling the story and teaching us what they believe we need to know.
As we drop in on Jesus, he has been drawn into the circle of John the Baptist and his followers. The act of baptism has its origin in the Jewish immersion rituals for the purpose of restoring purity to a defiled person . The Hebrew word mikveh refers to the gathering of water in a specific structure in the temple for this purpose. However, when the temple was destroyed many things changed, at least in practice but not in meaning. John the Baptist went to the river and many followed for this purification ritual that became baptism in the Christian community. Jesus was among the gathered people.
Christian tradition arising from ancient artistic representations of life claim the shell as a symbol of baptism. Often this artwork would show John the Baptist baptizing Jesus by pouring water over his head with a shell. The three drops of water are symbols of the Three in One, what we call the Trinity (Father, Son, Spirit OR Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer) ... One God in three Persons. Commentators tell us that the early Christian community had as much diversity with the act of baptism as our current universal Christian community.
Going Deeper: In his account, Luke does not emphasize the baptism of Jesus. He concentrates on the act of God subsequent to the baptism. God claims Jesus as the "Beloved." People have often asked why Jesus submitted to baptism when we consider him to be perfect and without blemish or spot. Jesus spent his entire ministry reaching out to the marginalized. Why would he not begin his ministry right there in the river in the midst of the people? And the turning point is prayer! Jesus prayed and the heavens opened up! The Holy Spirit descended as a dove. The symbol of the dove also emerged from Jewish tradition where we learn that the dove was a symbol of God's glory and of peace.
Through the sacramental act of baptism, we are claimed as "beloved." No matter what age we are. No matter where we have been. No matter what we have done. God loves us and calls us ... to come to the waters ... to repent (metanoia=to change the mind or to "turn around") which means to lay aside the old life and through the forgiveness that God extends to us, we enter into new life in Christ.
Pondering: Baptism is a mystery but it isn't magic. We don't know how the presence of God comes upon us, we simply have faith that we are wrapped in that presence at all times. Have you been baptized? Do you remember your baptism? Many of us were baptized as infants and can sometimes feel a sense of loss that we cannot remember our baptism. I felt that loss for a long time ... it took me awhile to understand that God is the one who acts in baptism, not me. A re-affirmation of the baptismal covenant is helpful ... this is done at every baptism. At one point, the pastor will say, "remember you baptism." Rather than feeling that something is missing because you don't remember some moment in time ... allow yourself to "Remember that you are the beloved of God."
Prayer: If you can, find a shell and fill a bowl with water. Hold the shell in your hand until the silence and the Spirit surround you and fill you with peace. Reach out to the water and scoop it up and let it splash. Allow yourself to be splashed with the the love and grace of God. Repeat to yourself: "I am beloved of God" until you feel it deep in your bones. In the Name of the Beloved. Amen.
WHAT DOES BAPTISM MEAN TO UNITED METHODISTS? In Wesleyan tradition and United Methodist doctrine, baptism is a sacrament. A sacrament is an outward sign of an inward grace. This means that through the act of baptism, the church recognizes something that God has already given us. For this reason, a person is baptized only once. During a baptism water is sprinkled or poured upon the head or a person is immersed in the water. Through the act of the baptism, a person of any age is accepted into and becomes an integral part of the community of Christians. Baptism is a representation of the new birth in Christ Jesus and is a part of the lifelong Christian journey.
For more information on Baptism see By Water and the Spirit: A United Methodist Understanding of Baptism
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