Devotion - Monday, January 14

Yesterday was the celebration of the Baptism of our Lord.  In some ways, the baptism of Jesus raises as many questions as it answers.  The prime question was included in the sermon heard by those of us on the ski retreat.  We had stopped at Nativity, Arden, for the 11:00 am worship.  The preacher repeated the dogging question - "If Jesus knew no sin, why was he baptized?"

John raises the question himself.  In one of the accounts, John protests, saying that it is he who ought to be baptized by Jesus.  But Jesus insists.

The preacher's presentation of the material allowed me to see the question from a slightly differing angle.  Perhaps the Baptism of Jesus, by John, was precisely because Jesus did know sin, i.e. he knew what sin is and what sin does.  Perhaps it is helpful for us to remember that he knew sin (in this regard) better than any of us.

This thought reoccurred to me this morning, when my devotion guide sent me to Ephesians 1.1-14.  There is a buzz word in these short verses which some of you know is a stumbling block for me.  It is the word, "plan."  But once more, scripture has a better understanding of such things than we.  Here is what Paul writes:  "Which (God) set forth in Christ as a plan for the fulness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth."

The "plan" of which scripture speaks is this uniting of all things (all things) in Christ. 

Baptism unites us with Christ.  Through the baptism of Jesus, we are united - things on earth and things in heaven.  Jesus' baptism (and ours) makes this happen.

Jesus' deep knowledge of sin makes possible his response to sin.  We will never overcome it on our own; we are in need of others to fight with us against sin.  Sin destroys life; sin separates us from God; sin divides us against one another.  Jesus knew sin's ability to tear at us.  Jesus joined the battle, united with all of us who continue to struggle against this mighty foe.