The people were filled with expectation and wondered if John was the one. John wanted to make sure the people knew he was not it. He just pointed to it. He wasn’t worthy to tie Jesus shoes.
He goes on to say Jesus will baptize with the holy spirit and fire. I find that so interesting because water usually quenches, douses, puts out fires.

“I have come to cast fire upon the earth, and how I wish it were already ablaze! 50 I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! Luke 12:49-50

It reminds me of the hymn it only takes a spark to get a fire going and soon all those around will warm up to its glowing, that’s how it is with God’s love, once you’ve experienced it… you want to pass it on.

I can’t help but think of the wild fires in Los Angeles. We have a pastor in our conference who was just appointed to a church in Los Angeles and she sent photos. My heart is heavy for those living in such danger. I also lift up all those who are fighting the fires. What a job that face.

Jesus is talking symbolically, metaphorically. He is not burning the house down. He is lighting a fire under us to spur us to act. Many have been ignited with the Spirit of God to love and to care.

Luke doesn’t give us much information about Jesus’ baptism. Just a couple of verses. He his ministry begins now.

Jesus will tell stories and heal and feed people. We remember today his beginning. We have spent time recalling the birth narrative. Today we remember his ministry beginning.

A friend of mine many years ago told a story he had been told about his mother. His mother took piano lessons when she was very young, maybe 8 or 9 years old. She practiced and practiced until it came time for the recital. She sat and played her piece and made many mistakes. It did not go well. When she went back stage her piano teacher began to scold her and told her she should have done a better job and he raised his voice and her father was listening from behind her. He let the teacher speak and wanted her to learn but after a bit it got much too much for him. So he walked up to her and put his arms around her and said to the teacher in a commanding voice, “That’s enough! This one’s mine!!”

I think of that story when I read about Jesus’ baptism when God says, “You are my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Our baptism is a reminder of our belovedness as well. We are God’s beloved child. This one is mine! The words we heard this morning from Isaiah 43, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.”
This one’s mine!!
Isaiah goes on to remind us “when you pass through the waters, I will be with you; the rivers won’t sweep over you.” I don’t know what storms you will face, what will come rushing at you, but keep going, God is with us as we pass through. He has called us by name and we are his.

We are going to have a reaffirmation of our baptismal covenant. We are invited to come forward to the baptismal font and remember your baptism and be thankful. Take your time. You may pray at the altar after receiving if you would like. Simply come to the baptismal font and touch the water as a symbol of your baptism then either pray at the altar or return to your pew. We will sing this song, come to the water for those tears I died, the insert is in your bulletin or it is on the screen.