Year C

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

The Very Rev. Denise Vaughn

The Epiphany of Epiphany’s

The mysterious travelers from the East have now made their way to the baby in Bethlehem with their expensive gifts. They appear for a moment and are quickly gone, but much like what happened to the shepherds in the fields at the birth of Christ, these gentile foreigners, wise men leave transformed by the experience of epiphany. They discover under a dawning star the child born to be a different kind of king. A mystery is revealed, disclosed and for the next seven Sunday’s we will hear experiences of epiphanies. To refresh our memories, just what does it mean to have an “epiphany?”  If you google search the word you will get some interesting answers to that question. From the sublime “manifestation of God in Jesus Christ” and “a divine showing” to the not so sublime as in-having an epiphany about someone or something.

Be that as it may, the notion that there are things we do not know that eventually become known to us is a part of all our life experiences. These experiences of coming into awareness and the dawning of a realization are experiences of epiphany. In these “aha” moments, new knowledge comes to light. Reality is seen and known as “what it truly is,” and even in moments when these new insights bring change, it can be most welcomed. As we see today, in the texts for this the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus. In these texts, we see God embracing our human world in amazing ways. God brings the chosen people out of Babylonian exile in what is clearly meant to be a new exodus; the Holy Spirit descends on new believers in Samaria; and the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus, declaring him the beloved Son of God.

Throughout the season of Epiphany, we will continue to come to the awareness of God in Jesus Christ, in whom God rejoices. We see the truth of who Jesus really is and today we see this truth at his baptism. God has a plan for all creation and only God’s own Spirit can bring about this divine intention. So at the Jordan River that day the people were filled with expectation. They expected a Messiah to come and save them from destruction, leading the nation into a new political and religious future. John the Baptist, who was already preaching, baptizing, and collecting many disciples, was considered to be a logical candidate. They began to wonder if John might be the Christ.

But John lets them know that one more powerful is coming, one empowered by the Holy Spirit. John’s ministry of preparing for the Messiah is ending. He will soon be imprisoned by Herod and later beheaded. Jesus ministry is beginning and in a very few words Luke transitions the end of John’s preaching mission to the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry and the hinge is Jesus’ baptism. All we know about the baptism of Jesus, according to Luke, is that it was with “all the people.” Jesus, the one with no sin, stood in line with everyone to be baptized as an act of solidarity with a nation and a world of sinners.

He went into the water, with those who were downtrodden and broken by the world, those who had given up on God, and with all who needed God. He came up from the water anointed for his prophetic mission. From this moment forward, the words and deeds of Jesus reveal his unique sharing in the Spirit of God. From his baptism, through his public ministry, to his death and resurrection, the actions of Jesus witness to who he is as the Son of God. This witness for us as to who Jesus is cannot be overstated. 

The modern Russian novelist, Boris Pasternak, in his novel, Dr. Zhivago, wrote, “First century Rome was ‘a flea market of borrowed gods and conquered peoples, a bargain basement on two floors…and then, into this tasteless heap of gold and marble, He came, light and clothed in an aura, emphatically human, deliberately provincial, Galilean, and at that moment gods and nations ceased to be and man came into being…” Jesus sent the value of humanity into a whole new level. A society which looked upon children as of limited value watched in amazement as Jesus took them upon his knee and blessed them. A world which stayed clear of those who were sick or blind were astounded when the Son of God stopped to heal a blind beggar.

Jesus, as the glorified Lord, came to show us a new way of life; a life that is one baptized with fire and the Holy Spirit. His baptism transforms the soul. He is the Son who does not simply possess the Spirit; he gives the Spirit to us in our baptism which shows in a life of faith and service. It is the work of Christ’s own Spirit to be with us and to empower us as children of God for our saving mission. Jesus does not undertake his ministry of teaching and healing in his own power and abilities. The Holy Spirit encourages him all the way, even when the way becomes difficult. The disciples will learn this as the Spirit gives them the stamina and patience to love and love again in faithful ministry. The book of Acts and especially these verses today, help us to see what a truly “spiritual” life looks like.

Peter and John, after the resurrected Jesus returns to God, are sent on behalf of the apostles in Jerusalem to pray over and lay their hands on some previously baptized converts to Christianity and to welcome these people into the Christian community. What is so remarkable about what Peter and John did is that they welcomed people from Samaria, of all places. If you recall, there was a long history of enmity between the Jews and the Samaritans but souls had been transformed by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit moved in Samaria. The good news was preached, and a whole new community embraced the message of Christ’s salvation. Our whole Christian life is lived out of baptism, and growth is expected. This is what happens when baptized with fire and the Holy Spirit.

Luke may only use very few words to share with us the baptism of our Lord. Yet, they lead us to deep joy for what we do know is that Jesus did not need John’s baptism, but perhaps it was to identify him-self with us; to show us how to depend upon God in prayer for strength to live and to love, to show us how to fulfill the requirements of our calling and to hear the affirmation of our God as the source of our calling and purpose in life.  These few words guide us as the star guided the wise men to the place where Jesus was born. These few words lead us to Bethlehem through the Holy Spirit where we give Jesus what he wants—us. We don’t need a star because the risen Lord himself is our guide and our leader….this is the epiphany of epiphanies!