Sunday, January 7, 2007   Baptism of Our Lord Sunday

Pastor Gary E. Benson

Zumbro Lutheran Church, Rochester, MN

 

                               Forever Starts Today!

The reality of time is unique, isn’t it? It just keeps on rolling along. You can’t stop time; time doesn’t wait. As many say, “Time marches on.”  Within the context of this unique measure of life we call time, today we mark the first Sunday of a new year --- of time --- 2007! None of us are the same as we were during this time and hour last year.  Some have endured great challenges: some have claimed great accomplishments. Others have faced failures. Many share a continual search for that which truly will underscore that their time matters, is meaningful, and sacred.

 

In the Old Testament lesson from Isaiah, times were difficult. The people are under judgment and duress. All seemed hopeless and dark (“as if trapped in holes and hidden in prison” – Chapter 42). Have you ever been there? (You want to crawl into that fetal position and wish life would go away, or you simply want to grab onto anything or anyone where you feel you can escape your reality.)  In our human condition we have all been enveloped by such darkness to some degree, just as we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  We know times, days, months, years, when our darkness seemed chronic, our time seemed meaningless, our hope was fleeting. Life seemed beyond the grasp of a new and more certain positive time and future.

 

Check out page 10 of The Lutheran. In an article titled, “Life goes on,” the author describes the pain of losing a loved one (we have been there). She writes, “We want time to stop and rewind.  We want to return to earlier times. We feel as though we are captive in a solitary prison which remains stagnant.”  

 

Today’s scripture assures us with the good news and testimony that within the context of “time,” darkness shall not prevail. Furthermore, as I love to repeat, “God will always have the last action, and it is one of love and grace.”

 

Recall again God’s word and promise in Isaiah during a time of pain and judgment.  It is a word not simply to read regarding the history of salvation thousands of years ago, but to embrace in our daily life – 

 

“Do not fear, I have redeemed/claimed you. I have called you by name, and you are mine!”  We are connected and claimed!

 

In your time, in God’s time, you (and I) have been called by name.  Today, the Baptism of our Lord Sunday, reminds us not only of our Lord’s baptism, but our baptism and God’s claim on us: “In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; through water and the word, God claimed us forever,” – for all time!  Mountaintops of joy or valleys of human suffering, God does not let go. God continues to seek us out daily.  Like the story, “The Hound of Heaven,” we may find ourselves running, or lost, or feeling abandoned. Still know well, God, as the Hound of Heaven, will continue to seek us out, to bring us back.

 

Or, to paraphrase Isaiah, “When you pass through the waters of doubt, hurt, pain uncertainty, I will be with you. Through the changing and challenging currents of life, they shall not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire of rejection or failure, you will not be consumed, you shall prevail.  WHY? For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior!”

 

In the context and reality of challenging times, the author of The Lutheran article concludes, “Life goes on,” even though loss and pain are ever so real. Still time and life are precious, exciting, ever changing. Furthermore, “our loss” is not the last action, but rather we can look forward to a life that goes on forever. Yes, and as Teri Herder-Blahnik concludes, as life goes on “Forever starts today!”

 

In many ways New Year’s offers some measure of opportunity to begin again: fresh starts, renewals, recommitments. Can we say, or be reminded, “Forever starts today.”

 

What is your forever looking life today – in this hour of time? Again, it isn’t what it was a year ago, but that which is the same as a year ago are some facts:

• In your baptism you became a child of God, and as the baptism liturgy says, “I’m a Church member, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ, forever --- forever.
• In our Lord’s Prayer we affirm the power and presence of God. “…For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever, Amen.”
• In the Lord’s Supper we hear, “May the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, and his precious blood, strengthen and preserve you, now and forever – forever, Amen.”

 

Forever starts today. When you go out from here, remember:

·        remember that you are loved and claimed by God;

·        secondly, if you ever have feelings of doubt, remember the fact: “For God so loved the world, He gave his Son for you.”

·        and you, through the waters of baptism, have been marked with the cross of Christ forever. And finally

·        as William Willimon writes, “Baptism is a one-time event that takes a lifetime (forever) to finish!” --- Believe, celebrate, rejoice – forever starts today – live it in Jesus’ name, Amen!