Forming Faith Blog

Two Baptisms, Two Voices (Luke 3)

Posted on December 31 2024 by Gregory Rawn

John’s voice calls us to a baptism of repentance and justice. God’s voice reveals Jesus as the Beloved. Where do we see and hear Jesus today?

An icon of Jesus' baptism. God's voice declares Jesus to be God's Beloved.
The Challenge of Epiphany

Many (most?) Protestant churches do not have a special worship service on January 6th, the Festival of Epiphany, so many move this celebration to the previous or (in my experience more often) the following Sunday. But the first Sunday after Epiphany is also the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord. That can get a bit complicated if you are in a congregation that really loves the story of the Magi, the traditional Epiphany Gospel lesson in the West (though there would be no conflict for Eastern Christians who read the Baptism of the Lord passage on Epiphany). Both of those readings give us a special revelation (epiphany) about who Jesus is: by the appearance and gifts of the magi and by the very voice of God.

This year, the Narrative Lectionary reading for the day is on baptism and God’s revelation about Jesus.

Epiphany is about revelation, so the challenge before us is: where do we see Jesus revealed both in Scripture and in our lives? This is an easier question to answer in the Gospel readings, as the Gospel writer’s purpose was to show us who Jesus is.

John’s Baptism

Our assigned reading in Luke 3 includes a vignette of John’s baptismal ministry, a brief description of Jesus’ own baptism, and a promise about the type of baptism that Jesus will inaugurate.

John’s baptism is one of repentance, and Luke quotes the prophet Isaiah to describe John’s voice as

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

Luke 3:4b-6

This baptism is not about saying you’re sorry; repentance is so much more than that. How is the Lord’s way prepared? The quote from Isaiah shows us two ways. The first is an active command for us to make God’s paths straight. Then, the middle part of the quote uses passive verbs. It is not our actions that will fill in the valleys, presumably with the rocks of the mountains and hills bulldozed flat. It is God who will ultimately make the paths straight so that everyone will see God’s salvation.

John’s Voice

John’s proclamations to the crowds emphasize the realities of repentance. Repentance is not about what we say but about what we do and how we live. Washing with water is only the first step. The crowds ask the obvious next question: “What then should we do?” (verse 10). John’s response is basic: share and don’t be greedy or mean.

These might be kindergarten-level expectations, but they are ones we don’t always follow. Imagine for a moment what that world would look like. No one would have more than they need, and no one would be lacking (which sounds a bit like mountains and valleys being equalized). And without a power differential, no one could use their power to oppress others. This may not fully describe God’s kingdom (shalom), but it’s a good start.

Jesus’ Baptism, God’s Voice

John’s voice to the crowds demanded repentance and living out justice; God’s voice to Jesus declared Jesus as the Son of God and God’s Beloved. This is one of the clearest statements revealing who Jesus is, a true epiphany in Jesus’ baptism. It is also a declaration of God’s grace. Jesus is God’s Son by nature, but I don’t think God loves him merely because they share the same substance (homoousion). Jesus is beloved simply because God loves him. Despite being of infinite worth, Jesus is beloved of God through grace just as we are.

Call to Justice

This reading doesn’t declare that we are beloved by God. However, this is clear from the rest of Scripture, so I feel no discomfort adding it here. You are God’s beloved child. God’s love for you is not based upon your actions, good or bad. God loves you because God has chosen to love you.

But we are not called to merely sit in this love. We are commanded to act justly. Empowered by the Spirit, God wants us to go beyond sharing and not being mean and to work spreading God’s love with concrete actions that lead to justice and peace for all.

Our Epiphanies

Returning to Epiphany, where do you see Jesus revealed today, outside of Scripture? Where are our current epiphanies? This is an easy question for some and a difficult question for others. This can also change in periods of our lives or time of day. For me—on clear days—I best see Jesus in the feel and taste of the bread and wine, the wetness of the baptismal waters, and especially the face and hands of others.

Go in peace, beloved of God.

Blessings,

Gregory Rawn (Publisher)

Download a FREE activity for 1/12/2025
Free Resource

During the main Narrative Lectionary year (September 8 to June 8), we provide a free resource download from one of our products to help you in your faith formation ministry. This week, download the activity “Helping Hands” from our Living the Word: Cross+Gen Worship (NL) curriculum. This activity can be adapted for use with most faith formation participants!

This post is adapted from the original written for January 10, 2021.

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It’s not too late to order for winter (and spring)! The new year has arrived, but you can still purchase what you need and download it right away! Order winter and spring seasons for the Narrative Lectionary, Revised Common Lectionary, and Classic Sunday School products. If you don’t have much time for full-length children’s Christian education, then check out our Kids Mini Lessons for the NL and RCL.

Are you looking for shorter resources for family/intergenerational events or Sunday school? Check out our Learning Together series, a set of five-lesson units on a variety of topics. You can read outside reviews on both our newest Do Justice and Created to Care units! Our faith formation resources are easy to use, theologically sound, and inclusive.

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