Baptism :: Submission, Service, and Solidarity
This Sunday is the traditional day for observing the baptism of Christ, so Rev. Hunter explored the meaning of our baptism into the church. He started by identifying the two things baptism is not: it's not a guarantee of automatic salvation and it's not a social event. We are saved through faith and grace. Christ did not get baptized in order to be saved or because it was a popular thing to do. Instead, there are three reasons Jesus asked John to baptize him: to demonstrate submission, service, and solidarity.
We know that Jesus got baptized "to fulfill all righteousness," which we understand to mean obedience to God's command . . . submission. When Jesus got baptized, he demonstrated his obedience and submission to God's will. Baptism symbolizes our death to the old life and beginning a new life in Christ. In our denomination, infant baptism indicates the parents' desire to dedicate the child to God, a dedication which the child later affirms when he/she chooses to join the church, thus confirming the parents' vows.
Jesus's baptism also represents His commissioning for the work ahead. God acknowledged His son in three ways--through shining light, a descending dove, and His voice. Once commissioned for a life of service to God's will, Jesus went in the wilderness and experienced the temptation. Service didn't come easily to Jesus or to us, but when we submit ourselves to a life of service to others, our baptism symbolizes that decision.
Finally, baptism provides further evidence of Jesus's determination to identify with us humans fully. His ultimate act of solidarity--becoming human through the incarnation--is a model for the solidarity we need to demonstrate. Some of the most admirable saint-like behavior shows just this kind of solidarity, such as Mother Teresa's compassionate work among the untouchables of India. We can best serve God by reaching out to others in solidarity and service.
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