Loving God, you promise to be with us throughout the storms and trials of this world.  Renew in us the power of the Holy Spirit and our awareness of your love, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

           Occasionally, upon reading a Bible passage that you have read many times before, it speaks to you in a new way.  This week, Psalm 29 was a passage like this.  The obvious focus is on the voice of the Lord – and even the power of the voice of the Lord – but there is also a storm going on.  There is thunder over the waters – a storm at sea.  There are high winds, perhaps even a tornado, that strips the forests bare and causes the oak trees to whirl.  There is fire (or perhaps lightning), and even earth-shaking going on that sounds a lot like an earthquake.

          In the midst of all of this mayhem, there are people in the temple crying “Glory!” – and at the end we are reminded that God rules over the flood and the storms, and we pray for strength and for peace for God’s people.

          Have any of you noticed any storms lately? – any earth-shaking events, or fire, or destructive winds?  Any fear-inducing events - or threats to the world order – or destruction?... In the reading from Isaiah, as well, we hear about passing through the waters and the rivers, and even walking through fire.  And yet, in the midst of such things, God says, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine” (Is. 43:1b).

          Of course, we also hear today about the baptism of Jesus, where there are hints of the storm to come.  While we do hear the bit about being baptized “with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Lk. 3:16), the verses that we didn’t hear today tell about John the Baptist being arrested and put into prison by king Herod.  These things are not that far removed from the things that await Jesus a few years down the road.  Yet, as if to prepare him for the storms that are to come, the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus in the form of a dove, while a voice from heaven proclaims, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased” (Lk. 3:22).

          While this description of the baptism of Jesus does have something to do with revealing his identity and purpose, it is entirely likely that the gospel writer had more in mind than simply telling us what happened to Jesus (Stoffregen).  These many years later, all those who hear this gospel learn something about our own baptism, and the need for prayer, and the role of the Holy Spirit.  After all, Jesus was not baptized because he needed God’s forgiveness, but in order to identify with all of those other human beings who come for baptism.

          While some of us are hesitant, or perhaps full of questions, when it comes to the Holy Spirit, the prophet Joel made it clear that God’s Spirit would be poured out on all flesh (2:28) – and not just on a few special people.  In fact, at every baptism we pray for the Holy Spirit to be poured out on all those who are baptized – and that includes us!  At the same time, it is no accident that Jesus is praying when the Holy Spirit shows up.  Later in Luke, as Jesus is teaching about prayer, we find this verse:

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (11:13)

Prayers for the Holy Spirit are rarely – if ever – denied.

          At the same time, just as Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit for his particular ministry (Lk. 4:18), so we are empowered for ministry by the Holy Spirit.  In the service that we sometimes use called the Affirmation of Baptism, we name various things that are part of our baptismal covenant.  The ministry to which we are called includes some really big things – like proclaiming the good news of God’s love in Christ in word and deed, and serving all people, and striving for justice and peace in the world.  That’s a really big ministry – which we can only accomplish through the power of the Holy Spirit and our participation in the body of Christ!

          Of course, Jesus’ ministry also included some really big things, so it was important for him to know his identity as God’s Beloved Son, who is both Servant and King.  While most of us probably haven’t heard a voice from heaven, we, too, are identified as beloved children of God.  At the same time, God speaks to each of us through the prophet Isaiah:

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine…. I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour…. You are precious in my sight, and honoured, and I love you (Is. 43:1-4).

          There will be storms, and there will be trials, and perhaps even baptism by fire, but ultimately, the one who rules over all of these things is the same one who loves us, saves us, and redeems us, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  “O Lord, give strength to your people; give them, O Lord, the blessings of peace” (Ps. 29:11, ELW).  Amen.

Baptism of Our Lord (C)                  Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

January 12, 2025                             Isaiah 43:1-7

St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church   Psalm 29

Pastor Lynne Hutchison

© 2025 Lynne Hutchison  All Rights Reserved