Baptism of Our Lord
Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17
The voice of the Lord is powerful, and the author of the 29th psalm knows everything about it. It shakes the earth. When it moves upon the waters (verse 3), it is something to behold. It can create out of nothing (Genesis 1:1), break chains (Isaiah 42:7), and transform things (Isaiah: 42:9)
Where has such a voice been? It may be hard to feel it out there these days. Oh, how we wish we have witnessed its power with our own eyes, ears, and touch, as the first disciples did (Acts 10:39). Only if we had walked with the incarnation of this voice in the world, Jesus, son of Mary and Joseph, from the town of Nazareth. It would be so much easy to believe and commit to his ministry.
I don’t know. Maybe we have. Those of us who have attended a baptism in the presence of Jesus’ faithful community: tell me if you were not moved at all. Tell me if something did not shift inside. Tell me if, even for a moment, something broke free and you were consumed by wonder and the power of the voice speaking through us that declares, “you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit, and marked with the cross of Christ forever.”
If you did, you were graced with a glimpse of its power. Now imagine what this voice can do through the collective of faithful hearts primed to bear witness to the light of Christ.
Bridging Faith 