Untitled Sermon

Imagine this: You’re standing in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, counting down the seconds to midnight. The air is electric with anticipation. People around you are ready to welcome something new—a fresh start, a better year. It’s not just about celebration; it’s about hope. Hope for something transformative.

Now, picture that same sense of expectation, but magnify it maybe 100 times or even a thousand times more. You’re not in Times Square but in the wilderness by the Jordan River, part of a crowd surrounding John the Baptist. His words cut to the heart as he calls people to repentance. The atmosphere is thick with anticipation. Some are whispering: Could he be the Messiah? The people were longing for deliverance, for freedom from oppression, for peace after years of silence from the prophets. But John redirected their hopes to the One who was coming—the true source of salvation and hope.

In many ways, we’re like that crowd by the Jordan. We long for healing, peace, serenity and justice. Too often, we look for hope in the wrong places. BUT JUST AS JOHN POINTED TO JESUS, TODAY’S GOSPEL DIRECTS US TO HIM—THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN FULFILL OUR DEEPEST LONGINGS. Today, as we reflect on the baptism of Jesus, we are reminded that this event is not just a historical moment but the grand unveiling of God’s plan of redemption, a plan that culminates in Jesus and reaches into our own lives through baptism.

At that time - the people of Israel had endured centuries without a prophetic voice. For generations, they clung to the promises of a coming Messiah, a Savior who would deliver them and restore their relationship with God. At first the people thought that this was John the Baptist – that he was already the messiah… But John, aware of their speculations, humbly redirected their expectations: “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Luke 3:16). JOHN’S HUMILITY IS OUTSTANDING. IN A TIME WHEN PEOPLE SOUGHT A HERO, JOHN POINTED AWAY FROM HIMSELF AND TOWARD JESUS. Many people would jump at the opportunity – it would have been a case of mistaken identity – but John also knew that the baptism that was giving was a baptism with water symbolized repentance—a turning away from sin. BUT HE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE BAPTISM JESUS WOULD BRING WAS FAR GREATER.

Jesus would cleanse and transform hearts through the purifying and empowering work of the Holy Spirit. IT WOULD MAKE THE PERSON BEING BAPTIZED BECOME BORN AGAIN!

When we are born into this world, we carry the name of our earthly family, specifically the name of our father.

However, in baptism, something deep happens. You are “born again,” not in the sense of being physically reborn or becoming instantly holy, or you say – no I will try be a good person from now.. I will be born again… no not this… but in the sense of receiving a new identity. Through baptism, you now carry the name of God. This is what Jesus meant when He said we must be “born of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5). It is God’s action, not ours, that makes this possible. He claims you as His own, adopting you into His family, and you become a child of God.

YOU NOW CARRY THE NAME OF GOD – You are now a Christian…Being “born again” means being born “from above,” (anothen) as the original Greek of John 3:3 can also be translated. IT IS A SPIRITUAL REBIRTH, WHERE GOD’S ACTION IN BAPTISM BRINGS YOU INTO HIS FAMILY, GIVES YOU HIS NAME, AND ASSURES YOU OF HIS LOVE. It doesn’t mean that you all of a sudden become holy holy – NO.. but it simply means you are now forgiven… and you now have access to the heavenly gifts of forgiveness and the hope of eternal life… As Paul writes, “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27). Now, you live with the privilege and calling of being a child of God, not because of anything you have done, but because of what God has done for you through Jesus.

AND THAT IS WHY JESUS WAS BAPTIZED. He was not baptized because He needed cleansing --- but He was baptized SO THAT HE CAN BEAR OUR SINS AND BRING US GRACE… In that moment, Jesus stood in the waters of the River Jordan, taking upon Himself the burden of humanity’s sin—your sin and mine. Jesus identifies with us; He comes to us, visits us, and stands with us like a true friend who shares in our troubles.

Among Filipinos, there is a phrase, "nakikiramay," which means to share in someone else's pain or burden. This beautifully illustrates what Jesus has done. He took upon Himself the sins of the world, ultimately carrying them to the cross. AS ISAIAH 53:4-5 SAYS, "SURELY HE HAS BORNE OUR GRIEFS AND CARRIED OUR SORROWS." GOD DOES NOT SAVE US FROM A DISTANCE. IN CHRIST, HE STEPS INTO OUR WORLD, SHARES IN OUR STRUGGLES, AND BRINGS REDEMPTION. Jesus’ baptism is an act of solidarity, showing that He is with us and for us—like a friend who chooses to grieve with you, even though they are not personally affected.

By being baptized with John’s baptism… Jesus is showing that he is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world… HE IS THE SIN BEARER FOR THE ENTIRE WORLD….

And now --- even the heavens are OPENED FOR YOU! TRIVIA: In biblical times, an open heaven meant God was showing His favor and making His presence known, God revealing something important, like in Ezekiel’s visions or Stephen seeing Jesus in heaven…. On the other hand, a closed heaven symbolizes separation from Him. AT JESUS’ BAPTISM, WHEN THE HEAVENS OPENED IT MARKED THE END OF THAT SEPARATION. This moment shows that through Jesus, the barrier of sin is being removed, giving us access to God’s grace and eternal life.

And so in your own baptism – you now have access to God our Father in heaven. In your Baptism -- you are a child of God, and you carry His name. Do you know why we make the sign of the cross? To remind us of our baptism... to remind us to whom we belong… The heavens were opened for you, and you were united with Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, and called to live out your identity as God’s redeemed child.

SO, EMBRACE THIS GIFT—EMBRACE YOUR BAPTISMAL CALLING. Live not as children of the world but as children of God. Live in the assurance of God’s love, empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk in the newness of life. Share the hope of Christ with others, knowing that your identity is secure in Him.

GO NOW – TELL OF THIS GOOD NEWS!

In Jesus' name.

AMEN