Claimed, gathered and sent

  Today we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord. Unlike most of us, Jesus was not baptized as a baby. John the Baptist baptized Jesus before he began his ministry. We are going to focus on the actual baptismal event itself and its implications for Jesus, us and our world. The issue we all wonder about is, “Why would it be God’s will for the Messiah to be baptized?” The most likely reason is to demonstrate Jesus’ solidarity with sinners. Though sinless, Jesus joined the sinful multitude in the waters of the Jordan. This is Jesus’ first step on the road to Calvary (Douglas Hare, Interpretation: Matthew). Jesus also says he is being baptized, “to fulfill all righteousness.” Here, righteousness seems to mean a divine requirement to be accomplished. “Righteousness” and “fulfillment” are key themes in Matthew. It is a messianic accomplishment. As I mentioned in the e-ministry, there is a two-fold purpose to Jesus’ baptism in Matthew’s gospel. Jesus is assured and empowered for ministry. Sec...

Here are some thoughts on Sunday's gospel. Let's talk about it. Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11 1 Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished.  3 The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”  4 But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”   5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple,  6 saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”   8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all...