Sermon Tone Analysis

Title

The Mighty Anointed One

Outline

In the Christian culture there is talk about anointed leaders

They may be people who speak and others obey or follow

They may be people to whom people flock for healing

But whatever their shape it is one of power

This is similar to the perception of leaders in the corporate, political, and military worlds

That was not the leader whom John the Baptist introduced

John makes it clear that Jesus is the great leader

John himself may have expected him to be a priest-king like the Maccabeans and latter attempts at uprising: “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming.

I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.

He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire.”

But what does the Holy Spirit and fire look like?

Peter makes it clear that Jesus had the Holy Spirit and power:

“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Spirit and power.

He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”

But notice that he does not win battles or reorganize society, but does good and heals those oppressed by the devil - he combats evil with good, the devil with healing

This is what Isaiah is talking about

He brings forth justice, but not in a military way, not by crying out or shouting, no shouts of troops in the streets

Instead he brings care to the weak: “A bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench.”

He will even care for pagan nations: “the coastlands will wait for his teaching.”

He will “To open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.”

And he does this gentle, quietly

Of course, Isaiah also says that he will lay down his life for others - those taking his life are not gentle, but he is, for he is a sheep, a sacrifice.

His purpose is God’s type of justice and to be a light for the nations, a covenant for the people - there are a lot of blind eyes to open, then.

Sisters, we are baptised in the baptism of Jesus

Jesus was appointed prophet, priest, and king

We are baptized into him in our baptism, so bear out office in and under him.

Too many Christians are striving for power either in the world or in the Church - that is not how Jesus lived out being prophet, priest, and king, at least not until the end of the age

We strive to enlighten people - gently - to our king and bring them under the rule of him to whom our lives show submission

We teach all to see life and the world through his eyes as we share how we see life and the world

We mediate between people of all types and ages and God and do so in an with Jesus, not infrequently making sacrifices joined to his great sacrifice

As we live a Jesus life in Jesus’ way, people will know that we are in contact with him who is fully anointed with the Holy Spirit and power and who shares his power and anointing with others.

And people will realize that for God power looks like love

Readings

FIRST READING

Option A

Isaiah 42:1–4, 6–7

1 Here is my servant whom I uphold,

my chosen one with whom I am pleased.

Upon him I have put my spirit;

he shall bring forth justice to the nations.

2 He will not cry out, nor shout,

nor make his voice heard in the street.

3 A bruised reed he will not break,

and a dimly burning wick he will not quench.

He will faithfully bring forth justice.

4 He will not grow dim or be bruised

until he establishes justice on the earth;

the coastlands will wait for his teaching.

6 I, the LORD, have called you for justice,

I have grasped you by the hand;

I formed you, and set you

as a covenant for the people,

a light for the nations,

7 To open the eyes of the blind,

to bring out prisoners from confinement,

and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

RESPONSE

Psalm 29:11b

11 May the LORD give might to his people;

may the LORD bless his people with peace!

PSALM

Psalm 29:1–4, 9–10

1 A psalm of David.

Give to the LORD, you sons of God,

give to the LORD glory and might;

2 Give to the LORD the glory due his name.

Bow down before the LORD’s holy splendor!

3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters;

the God of glory thunders,

the LORD, over the mighty waters.

4 The voice of the LORD is power;

the voice of the LORD is splendor.

9 The voice of the LORD makes the deer dance

and strips the forests bare.

All in his Temple say, “Glory!”

10 The LORD sits enthroned above the flood!

The LORD reigns as king forever!

SECOND READING

Option A

Acts 10:34–38

34 Then Peter proceeded to speak and said, “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality.

35 Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.

36 You know the word [that] he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, 37 what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Spirit and power.

He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Luke 3:16

16 John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming.

I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.

He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire.

GOSPEL

Luke 3:15–16, 21–22

15 Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah.

16 John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming.

I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.

He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire.

21 After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened 22  and the holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove.

And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”