Jesus goes public. Down at the Jordan River His cousin, John the Baptist, was dunking people of all kinds: commoners, priests, soldiers, even some Pharisees and Sadducees, with some serious preaching going on while he’s at it. John’s main message is: “Repent! Stop sinning! Prepare the way of the Lord!”
But when Jesus arrives, John balks. He knew his kinsman, and he knew Jesus didn’t need baptism for repentance. In fact, he’d prefer if Jesus would baptize him. But, as we learned yesterday, Jesus sometimes did things as an example to us. And what does baptism say? It’s going public, saying we believe in God, that we are for God, that we belong to God. And immediately after Jesus is baptized, the rest of the Trinity shows up to confirm His declaration. The Holy Spirit descends on Jesus, and the Father’s voice booms out, “This is My beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased.”
Amazing to me that as soon as we declare ourselves for God, God immediately receives us and forgives us, and confirms that we are God’s own. Right after Aaron sins and builds Israel a golden calf to worship, Moses is sent by God to stop the idolatry. He stands in the gate and calls out, “Who is on the Lord’s side? Come to me!” Exodus 32:26. Many of them come, they go public. After a season of repentance and purification Aaron even becomes the high priest. Through all the ups and downs of Israel’s history, God is always eager to welcome them back, but: they have to go public.
Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son, who returns home broke, starving, and filthy saying, “Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before you, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.” The boy goes public, kind of muffled because his father has already run to meet him, and wrapped him in a crushing embrace. Dad immediately plans a huge party to celebrate that his lost boy has been found, has come back from the dead! Luke 15:11-32. Immediate love, immediate homecoming.
Like this father, God is always eagerly watching and waiting for us, ready to hear our good confession. Immediately God meets us where we are. Welcome home to God’s heart. This is where we belong. All we have to do is: go public.
Prayer: Lord God, we are on Your side. We believe in You, we are for You, we belong to You! Thank You for running to meet us when we finally go public, and realize how much we need Your love and forgiveness. Lord Holy Spirit, shower mercy on us, and confirm our confession as we go public for You. Wrap us in Your eternal embrace and welcome us home, into the household of God. In Jesus’ name, amen.