Who is Jesus? A bible study through the season after Epiphany during which you use the See-Judge-Act methodology. Aida Irizarry-Fernandez describes this way of bible study as an "action/reflection process rooted in liberation theology and thinking." (Engaging the Bible: Critical Readings from Contemporary Women chapter III "A Communal Reading" page 17) You'll need an open heart, a willing spirit, and a creative imagination to explore the text in this way. When you finish your study, discover your own breath prayer. The breath prayer is an ancient form of repetitive prayer which will emerge from your engagement with the biblical text.
Study Suggestion: Why not consider asking a few people to join you in a "communal" reading using this See-Judge-Act method!
Study Suggestion: Why not consider asking a few people to join you in a "communal" reading using this See-Judge-Act method!
Matthew 3:13-17 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."
Movement 1/See (Read the Text closely/Examination:) We pay attention to the story, the characters, and their original context. Re-create the scene in your mind’s eye. Consider time, place, and people. Consider what you learn from your five senses. What do you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel? Visualize what Jesus was doing as he engaged other people … family, friends, strangers and enemies.
The word translated "baptized" in this passage is the Greek word baptizo {bap-tid'-zo} which means to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, or to make clean with water. The concept of baptism in the ministry of John the Baptist, Jesus and the early Christian community emerges from the Jewish sacrificial system. Temple priests would do ritual washings in order to perform sacrifices. John the Baptist has preaching repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins in the wilderness for some time. Imagine his surprise when Jesus comes to the river ...
Read the text slowly as if you were one of the many bystanders in the crowd watching this story unfold. Why have you come to see John the Baptist? Are you a regular follower or is this your first time? What are you looking for? Have you been baptized by John the Baptist? Or are you waiting? What are you waiting for? Have you seen this man, Jesus, before? What do you know about him? Do you feel like you know him or do you feel like a stranger? Can you hear the conversation between John and Jesus? Does it make sense to you? What do you see? What do you hear? What do you feel as you watch this amazing scene unfold before you?
Read the text again as if you were John the Baptist doing your life’s work, calling people to repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins. How are you feeling as your cousin, Jesus, walks toward you? How do those feelings change as you realize what he wants you to do? Do you argue or do you accept readily when Jesus answers your concerns? You’ve known Jesus your whole life. Are you surprised at what happens next? What do you experience as Jesus comes up from the water?
One last time, read the text as if you were Jesus. How are you feeling as you approach your cousin, John? What do you expect his reaction to be when you request baptism? Are you surprised by his response? How is it that righteousness is “fulfilled?” As the incarnate (God in flesh), how does it feel to hear God’s voice claiming you as the Beloved?
What is the overall message that you think Matthew is trying to bring to his community? Is this message clear or do you need further explanation? What does Jesus want to say to you about your life as a Christ-follower?
Movement 2/Judge (Look at your Life/Spiritual Discernment:) We seek to examine our own lives as we live in community ... search the text as you keep it in its original context and bring it into the "now" through the act of cross-cultural reading. Consider why Jesus acted as he did and said the things that needed to be said. Concentrate your attention on Jesus as you seek to be formed in his image and live as he lived.
Keep the context of the passage and your examination of the text in your mind and enter into a time of meditation. In what ways does God speak to you and your community today through this passage? What is the good news we need to hear? How is your community inviting others into the life of the Beloved through the act of baptism? What is God’s purpose for a community that takes this passage seriously? How does this passage challenge our way of "being" the church. How can we embody and encourage the flourishing of the kingdom of God … right where we are?
How does this passage challenge the way I see myself? What changes do I need to make in ... my behavior, my perspective, my way of thinking or my way of praying in light of what I have learned through this text? What invitation do I hear the Spirit whispering in my soul?
Movement 3/Act (Take action in Light of your Faith/Transformation:) We are called to work so that the reign of God can be realized in the world today. Work with creativity and compassion, follow the Spirit, meditate on the Word and expect that God will show you how to take action as you apply what you have learned.
Movement 3/Act (Take action in Light of your Faith/Transformation:) We are called to work so that the reign of God can be realized in the world today. Work with creativity and compassion, follow the Spirit, meditate on the Word and expect that God will show you how to take action as you apply what you have learned.
What steps does my community or do I need to take in order to respond to the invitation of God through this story? Who needs to be involved in my decision-making? How will changes happen? How can I make this world a better place for people to live? What would my life look like if the reign of God were realized in my heart? in my community?
Prayer: “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required.” (Luke 12:48b NRSV) As we are called to act, we sincerely seek the empowerment of Spirit and we are changed. We become more like Christ. I invite you to discover your breath prayer
- Take time to quiet yourself within. Acknowledge and then let go of all your busy thoughts.
- Allow a “new” name for God to emerge or simply use the name you usually use when you pray to God
- Consider the invitation from God that emerged during your time of study
- Work with your words until you have about 6-8 syllables which is the most comfortable to breathe … or pray this one:
As you continue to pray your prayer as you breathe throughout the day, you may find that God’s invitation seeps into you and that God’s love begins to flow in to you and out from you into a world that hurts.
A Contemporary Look at BAPTISM ... in the UNITED METHODIST tradition: 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
If Music is a Pathway to God's Presence for you ...
Listen to Lenny Kravitz sing "Baptized." It shows an interesting spiritual side to a complex human being. I sense he knows a lot about the grace that is offered by a God who loves all.
Listen to Jacque Darragh sing "I was there to hear your borning cry." I've been on retreat with Jacque, and she is gifted with a sweet voice and a gentle soul which embraces one with grace.
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