by Rev. Canon David B. Tabo-oy

powerful.”
v15People’s hopes began to rise, and they began to wonder whether John perhaps might be the Messiah. v16So John said to all of them, “I baptize you with water, but someone is coming who is much greater than I am. I am not good enough even to untie his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. v17He has his winnowing shovel with him, to thresh out all the grain and gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn the chaff in a fire that never goes out.”
v21After all the people had been baptized, Jesus also was baptized. While he was praying, heaven was opened, v22and the Holy Spirit came down upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my own dear Son. I am pleased with you.” – Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Last Monday saw the transition to a new season in the church liturgical calendar with the celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany. Epiphany is a season of four to nine weeks, from the Feast of the Epiphany (Jan. 6) through the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. The length of the season varies according to the date of Easter. The gospel stories of this season describe various events that manifest the divinity of Jesus, including the coming of the Magi, the Baptism of Our Lord, the wedding at Cana, the calling of the disciples, and other miracles and teachings of Jesus. Our lesson this first Sunday after Epiphany is the narrative of the baptism of Jesus by John. All the gospels have some version of this account. John is depicted as the prophetic voice who announces the coming of the Messiah and the realm of God. The baptism of Jesus is depicted as the occasion when the Holy Spirit came upon him and identified his vocation as God’s anoint. Jesus was manifested as the Son of God after his baptism by John.
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The churches down through the ages have held that when we are baptized in the name of the triune God, we are baptized into Christ Jesus. But what does it signify that Jesus himself went to John and insisted on being baptized? Surely not that he was a sinner needing to repent and be cleansed. If not that, what do these stories, appearing in all four gospels, signify? Surely one answer to this question is Jesus’ accepting his vocation, as attested by the witness of the Holy Spirit. The vocation was, and is today, partly the vocation of a prophet. Our own baptism into Jesus Christ is thus a baptism into a prophetic vocation. Prophetic ministry, what is that to us today? There are so many definitions and interpretation of this important facet of being a believer, but this definition captures the essence of Christ’s prophetic ministry, “Prophetic ministry is a gift from God that allows individuals to hear from Him and speak His words to people. It is a way of connecting people to the Presence of God, so they see, hear and feel Him for themselves. Prophetic ministry can reveal the heart of God through words and actions, and can provide comfort, guidance, and direction to those who are struggling or seeking answers. Prophetic ministry can also speak ahead of time, what God is planning to do, and prepare the ground for His purposes.”
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Jesus was baptized to identify with us and set an example. His baptism is a revelation of who he is and what he is called to do. To be a prophet as seen in Jesus’ words and works is to set an example. There was a man by name Dr Albert Schweitzer. He was a medical doctor, had his doctorate in theology, and was also a world-famous organist. Like Mother Teresa of Calcutta, he spent most of his life in a remote part of Africa called Lamborene. There he was able to construct a hospital and ministered to the physical and spiritual needs of the poor people from the area. He gave lectures and organ concerts. And he was in demand. One of Schweitzer’s most remarkable statement was, “Example is not the main thing in life – it is the only thing.”
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Through the years in every baptismal service, I always exhort the parents and godparents to be good example to the child in their words and actions. That they be good role models to the child. And one thing I always emphasize is for them to come to church with the child as he or she grows up. The power of the parents and godparents participating in the worship and praise of God is a lesson that no Sunday school teacher or a minister can teach as effectively. Example is powerful.
There was a story about an elderly man who attends worship faithfully. What was so unusual was that the man couldn’t hear very well and he couldn’t see very well either. So, as far as participating in the worship service, it was really marginal. Yet, there he was, Sunday after Sunday. One day, a good friend of his church asked him: “George, I’m curious. I know you can’t hear or see very well and that most of the service is probably not very meaningful to you. So I’m wondering, why do you come?” George didn’t hesitate a moment. He replied, “I just want people to know whose side I am on!” Schweitzer said it: “Example is not the main thing in life – it is the only thing!” Jesus set the example, not only through his baptism, but through his life, inspiring us to “walk the talk” of our Christian faith.
Let us pray.
Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into His name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. (First Sunday after Epiphany Collect, BCP).**