Baptism of the Lord - Year A - 2026

Welcome Statement

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Old Testament Reading - Isaiah 42:1-9

Isaiah 42:1–9 NRSV

Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching. Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the Lord, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.

Signs of the Servant

The Servant

Will have his spirit put upon him

Will not Grow Faint -> Points to Christ’s Faithfulness

Will not raise his voice -> Points to Jesus not speaking when being accused

Is named explicitly as Israel -> Points to how Jesus is a person in the trinity, but we all also reside in the Body of Christ, a family, a communion of believers.

Old Testament Point #2

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Old Testament Point #3

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New Testament Reading - Matthew 3:13-17

Matthew 3:13–17 NRSV

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

Jesus Baptized By the Ordinary and Extra-ordinary

John the Baptist

Ate Locusts, wild man, lived in the wilderness

Was the newspaper boy sharing the Good News

What is a father like?

Exodus 34:6–7 NRSV

The Lord passed before him, and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, yet by no means clearing the guilty, but visiting the iniquity of the parents upon the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”

Turn Around Through Baptism

Mark 1:15 NRSV

and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

Mark 1:15 GNT

“The right time has come,” he said, “and the Kingdom of God is near! Turn away from your sins and believe the Good News!”

Mark 1:15 KJV 1900

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Mark 1:15 CEB

saying, “Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!”

Participation, Not just Mission

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 NRSV

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. Again, if two lie together, they keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

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Closing Statement

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Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, adfs asdfa

Amen.

Doxology / Benediction / Closing

May you Have a Blessed Sunday, and rest of your Week! Amen!