Yesterday I had the joy of baptising the daughter of a couple whose wedding I had taken at St John's Seven Kings. Last year I had also had the privilege of baptising the Mother. This is what I had to say to them yesterday:
Two of the biggest questions we can ask in life are ‘Who am I?’ and ‘Why am I here?’ Both questions get answered in this story of Jesus being baptised (Mark 1. 9 - 15) and the answers that were true for Jesus can also be true for us.
Two of the biggest questions we can ask in life are ‘Who am I?’ and ‘Why am I here?’ Both questions get answered in this story of Jesus being baptised (Mark 1. 9 - 15) and the answers that were true for Jesus can also be true for us.
First, ‘Who am I?’ The answer to that question was given to Jesus as soon as he came up out of the waters of baptism. As he did so, he saw heaven opening, the Spirit coming down on him like a dove, and he heard a voice from heaven saying, “You are my own dear Son. I am pleased with you.” As he was baptised, he was immediately affirmed as God’s Son.
It is easy for us to think that that only applies to Jesus. That it was a special word spoken by God the Father especially to him and, on one level, no doubt it was. But, the Bible makes it quite clear that Jesus laid down his life to make us one with God so that, as Christians, we are Jesus’ brothers and sisters, members of the same family – God’s family – and co-heirs with Jesus of everything that he has. Listen to what St Paul
“Those who are led by God's Spirit are God's children. For the Spirit that God has given you does not make you slaves and cause you to be afraid; instead, the Spirit makes you God's children, and by the Spirit's power we cry out to God, Father! my Father! God's Spirit joins himself to our spirits to declare that we are God's children. Since we are his children, we will possess the blessings he keeps for his people, and we will also possess with Christ what God has kept for him …”
When ____ is baptised, God is saying to her, “____, you are my dear daughter, you are my child and since you are my child you will possess with Jesus the blessings I keep for my people.” This is true, not just for ____, but for each one of us who have been baptised. Just stop for a moment to hear God saying those words to you, “You are my dear daughter or son, you are my child and since you are my child you will possess with Jesus the blessings I keep for my people.” Take a moment, to let those words sink into your hearts and minds. You are a child of God, you are a brother or sister of Jesus, you are loved, you are valued, you are blessed. Take it in and say thank you to God your Father for who you are.
The second big question was ‘Why am I here?’ and that too is answered in this reading. After he is baptised, Jesus has a time of preparation in the desert and then begins to preach the Good News from God. He had a God-given task to complete, a reason for his existence and a meaning for his life. The same is true for us. Listen to St Paul
“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served. There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to all for their particular service. The Spirit's presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all.”
The Spirit’s presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all. So, the Spirit’s presence is shown in ____ in some way for the good of all. How will that be? We don’t yet know. It is too early to say. But it is one of the tasks that God gives you, as parents who are bringing ____ up in the family of God, to nurture her gifts and talents so that it will become clear in what way the Spirit’s presence is shown in ____’s life.
And, again, this is also true for all of us who have been baptised. For each one, the Spirit’s presence is shown in us in some way for the good of all. Take a moment, to let those words sink into your hearts and minds. You have been given the abilities you need for your particular service. The Spirit's presence is shown in some way in you for the good of all. Your life has meaning and purpose because God has work that only you can do. Take it in and say thank you to God your Father for why you are here.
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Fleetwood Mac - Man Of The World.
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