All three Synoptic Gospels, that is to say Matthew, Mark and Luke record a version of the event known to us as the Baptism of Jesus. John mentions the ministry of John the Baptist but has no account of him baptizing Jesus. Because three of the four gospels record this event, although we know that Mark was the first of the gospels to be written and Luke and Matthew both took information from Mark in writing their gospels, we generally assume that their accounts are accurate.
In the accounts given by all three of the synoptic gospels three things stand out. First there is the fact that John did baptize Jesus although Matthew’s version of the account says that John was reluctant to do so. Secondly, they record Jesus seeing the Holy Spirit descend on him in the appearance or form of a dove and thirdly they also record Jesus hearing a voice from Heaven saying, “This is my son whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” (St. Matthew 3:17 NIV) Even though there are variations in wording the essential account is consistent across the three gospels. What is important though is for us to consider the significance of this moment. The baptism of Jesus along with the transfiguration on the mountain and his resurrection make up arguably the most important events of Jesus’ life because in all three events Jesus’ position as God’s Son is emphasized. The baptism notably is one of the few occasions when we see in action the Triune God, or as others prefer to say, the three in one person of God.
The baptism of Jesus itself has been a source of great debate over the centuries because of the established fact that the baptism that John was performing was for the repentance from sin. Clearly, Jesus had no sin to repent from so he would not need to be baptized. It was obvious from this, that the baptism carried out was for another reason Some biblical scholars and theologians see in this act that Jesus was choosing to share symbolically with humanity in the act of turning from sin and accepting God’s way. It was Jesus’ way of being at one with humanity. The other dominant view which I share is that this act of baptism was Jesus’ ordination, or some might say commissioning. It was the point at which Jesus became fully conscious of his purpose and the need to begin his earthly ministry right away. We do not know the exact chronology of events but the fact that most of the gospels put his temptation in the wilderness or desert right after the baptism by John suggests that the ordination or call to ministry rationale is the more credible. In addition, the two things that happened at the baptism including the Spirit descending on him and the voice from Heaven saying that He is God’s Son of whom God himself is well pleased seems to give more credence to the idea that His baptism was one that signified his call to begin his earthly ministry.
Let us take some time to reflect on those words that were said to Jesus on that momentous day as we ask ourselves the question whether or not our lives have been pleasing to God. Two words are important to note in this account as indication of what God’s relationship with us as humans ought to be. First is the word love. The Greek word “agapetos” used here comes from the Greek noun agape which means dearly loved one or someone for whom there is a special affection for and delight in. This is what God has for all of us and importantly it is not dependent on any particular quality or gift or anything else that we have. It is a love that is characteristic of God and only those who know God can share love in this way to others. Secondly, something or someone that is well-pleasing is someone or something for which another person has special delight in or a special affection for. The two terms together that are love and well-pleasing heighten our understanding of God’s acceptance of His Son. This is a demonstration of the ultimate parent-child relationship. It must be noted too that this has not come about because of anything the child has done or had to prove, but simply because he or she is the son or daughter of that parent. Think about it. Most parents do love their children but many of them love them more or less depending on the achievements of the child. We are prouder and more affectionate to our children when they make us feel good by their achievements. Considering this then, think about the ultimate parent whose love for us is not determined by what we have achieved but by what our relationship with Him is.
As we are reflecting on the parent-child relationship between God and Jesus it is the opportune time to think about what our relationship with God is and ultimately whether we are living lives that are pleasing to God. I believe that for most of us if there is one thing we dearly aim to do in this life it is to do our best to live our lives to make our parents proud of us. We know of the sacrifices they made to allow us to have more and better opportunities than they had and as such we feel it is a basic obligation to let them have reason to feel proud of our accomplishments. God is not overly concerned about our accomplishments or lack of these. What is important to God is the relationship we seek to have with Him. It is this relationship and not anything else we have accomplished or achieved in this life that determines whether our lives are well-pleasing to God. There is the account in all three of the synoptic gospels of a rich young man who came to Jesus to ask him what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. As revealed in the conversation it was evident that this young man was faithful at following all the demands of the Scriptures, yet he was asked to sell his possessions and give to the poor. This made him very sad because he was very rich. (See St. Matthew 19:16-22, St. Mark 10:17-22, St. Luke 18:18-23) The point here is that although this young man had remained quite religious and had achieved great wealth, his relationship with God was not secure. He needed to show God’s love in his own relationship with humanity. That had not been his priority all these years and as such his love for his wealth instead of other people made this obligation an impossible task. Yet it was that obligation of selling his possessions that would truly determine his relationship with God. Many of us are in the same situation as that rich young man. Surely, most of us may not claim to be financially rich but our relationship with God is not secure and as such we cannot truly claim to be living a life that is pleasing to God.
What kind of life is it that truly pleases God? What can or must we do that we can hear the same words said about us that Jesus heard on that day of his baptism, that is, “This is my Son of whom I am well-pleased.” It is evident from Jesus’ earthly life that it is the life of humble service to humanity that really counts. When I say humble service, this does not mean that you must be dirt poor or even if you are rich give away everything you have. It does not mean that you cannot become a highly renowned professional in some field or accomplish very notable things in life or even become famous. Humility does not mean that you must live a life with little or nothing and have not achieved as much as you want in life. Humility speaks to the extent that you do not become obsessed by all that you have accomplished so that nothing else is as important to you as your achievements and your possessions. Humility is about your attitude and treatment of others who are considered worse off than you are. Do you see those persons as God’s dear children too? Do they deserve your respect and love or are they mere nuisances in your space? Irrespective of what we achieve or accomplish in this life, it is only our love for our fellow humans displayed in tangible ways that really matters to God. That is how we show that we are truly God’s children. The prophet Micah puts it succinctly when he told the people what God really required of them. It was, “to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8b NIV)
As a church community we are being challenged with these questions. Are our actions, our demonstration of faith, our witness to the community and the world at large pleasing to God? Is there more to be done or is there greater sincerity and commitment needed in what we are doing already? Are the commitments we make in our mission programs, our youth programs our worship or anything else we do, are they based on our desire to please God or to please human beings?
As we begin this year, it is clear that we all have to reflect about our personal relationship with God. We all have to know in our individual context whether we are pleasing God in every part of our lives. As we search our hearts, we must continue to ask ourselves deep piercing questions.
Is there a greater commitment or a renewal of our commitment to God that is necessary for some of us? What do we need to do individually or communally to be pleasing to God? Is our prayer life in need of improvement? Have I been postponing a call from God to a specific ministry? Is my relationship with spouse or partner children, siblings or parents reflective of a life that is pleasing to God? Is my attendance at worship and my fellowship with other Christians indicative of a life that God can be delighted with? Have my acts of kindness and duty been sincere indicators of my love for God or just to impress humans.
As we ponder these questions and more, may God speak to us reassuring us that whatever it is that is necessary, He is ready to help us to get things right as we look forward to hearing him say, ‘This person is my dear child, and I am delighted in him or her. They have done well. I am proud of him or her. I am sure that is what we all want to hear God say to us now and especially when He calls us home to be with Him in eternity.
Go dear friends and live your lives that seek only to please God by serving others wherever you go. Amen.