Baptism and Ordination: Chosen and Beloved

Mark 1:4-11 Isaiah 43:1-3a          Rev. Todd B. Freeman

Bethany Presbyterian Church, Dallas           January 8, 2006

What an interesting Service of Worship this is today. The ordination and installation of elders; a sermon on the baptism of Jesus and how that serves as a model for our own baptism; and finally the celebration of the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, uniting us as one in Christ. Even with all these different elements of worship, however, there is still a simple message: each of us has been called by God, by name, to be a part of the family of God.

Today’s scripture lessons have much insight to share with us concerning this. At the very beginning of the Gospel of Mark (which you may have noticed does not begin with a birth narrative of Jesus, but with his baptism) we are introduced to a man named John, who preached of a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He was insistent that there was One who was coming soon much mightier than him, the Messiah.

Mark then quickly introduces us to Jesus for the first time in verse 9 of Chapter 1 with these simple words: “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.” What he doesn’t tell us is why Jesus came to him in the first place to be baptized, or how and why was it a part of God’s divine plan and purpose.

At one level, Jesus’ baptism served very much the same purpose as an ordination and installation service, like we observed today. Just as three individuals this morning were publicly installed into the ministry of serving as an elder in this congregation, Jesus was publicly installed, so to speak, into the ministry into which he was called by God. Jesus’ baptism served as an acceptance of his vocation of spreading the good news of the kingdom of God. We, in turn, have a similar vocation.

This story of Jesus’ baptism can teach us what happens to us in our own baptism. Mark tells us that the heavens are torn open and the Spirit of God descends like a dove on him. “A voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.’” If Jesus’ baptism serves as a model for our own baptism, then do these same words apply to each one of us? Is God telling you and me personally, ‘You are my child, the beloved, with you I am well pleased’?

I truly believe with my whole heart and mind that each one of us is not only a child of God, but a beloved child of God – just as Jesus was. At a very deep and basic level, that means that you and I have an important place in the family of God. And because of that, nobody can tell you that your life doesn’t matter. Nobody can tell you that you are unloved. Nobody can tell you that you don’t belong. Because in the eyes of God, your life does matter, you are loved, and you do belong!

Yet many people today are made to feel like they don’t belong, whether it be because of the color of their skin, or the language they speak, or their physical appearance, or their age, or their intellectual or mental capacity, or their gender, or their economic/financial situation, or their sexual orientation, or their political or theological beliefs.

You may have experienced such rejection and prejudice sometime in your life - perhaps you may be experiencing it even now. Sometimes that voice of rejection even comes from within. It is at times like these we need to listen instead to God’s voice.

The renowned Catholic priest and my favorite author on spirituality, Henri Nouwen, wrote an incredible book in 1995 entitled, “Life of the Beloved.” In it he writes:

Yes, there is that voice, the voice that speaks from above and from within and that whispers softly or declares loudly: ‘You are my Beloved, on you my favor rests.’

It certainly is not easy to hear that voice in a world filled with voices that shout: ‘You are no good, you are ugly; you are worthless; you are despicable, [you are an abomination,] you are nobody — unless you can demonstrate the opposite.’

These negative voices are so loud and so persistent that it is easy to believe them. That’s the great trap. It is the trap of self-rejection. Over the years, I have come to realize that the greatest trap in our life in not success, popularity or power, but self-rejection…

As soon as someone accuses me or criticizes me, as soon as I am rejected, left alone or abandoned, I find myself thinking: ‘Well, that proves once again that I am a nobody.’

Instead of taking a critical look at the circumstances or trying to understand my own and others’ limitations, I tend to blame myself — not just for what I did, but for who I am. My dark side says: ‘I am no good... I deserve to be pushed aside, forgotten, rejected and abandoned.’

Let me ask you, can you relate in some way to these words and feelings? I’m sure we all can at some level. But an empowering truth still remains, God is saying to you right now, as he did to Jesus, “You are my child, the beloved, and with you I am well pleased.”

If you need more biblical evidence of this, listen to this compilation and paraphrase of both Old and New Testament proclamations concerning God’s loving relationship with you and me. “I have called you by name, from the very beginning. You are mine and I am yours. I have molded you in the depths of the earth and knitted you together in your mother’s womb. I have carved you in the palms of my hands and hidden you in the shadow of my embrace. I look at you with infinite tenderness, and care for you with a care more intimate than that of a mother for her child. I have counted every hair on your head and guided you at every step. Wherever you go, I go with you, and wherever you rest, I keep watch. I will not hide my face from you – wherever you are I will be. Nothing will ever separate us.”

I encourage you, even challenge you, to listen for that voice deep within you that calls you “the beloved.” Henri Nouwen also adds these words of wisdom:

The world tells you many lies about who you are, and you simply have to be realistic enough to remind yourself of this. Every time you feel hurt, offended or rejected, you have to dare to say to yourself: ‘These feelings, strong as they may be, are not telling me the truth about myself. The truth, even though I cannot feel it right now, is that I am the chosen child of God, precious in God’s eyes, called the Beloved from all eternity and held safe in an everlasting embrace.

And we can help each other in this regard, right here in this congregation, by reminding each other of this truth. For it is also true that when we are aware of our own chosenness, our eyes are open to the chosenness of others.   There is a unique, special place for everyone in the kingdom of God, for it is indeed an inclusive place.

So during this coming week and throughout this new year, be attentive to the ways that God is blessing you. Be intentional, as well, to be a blessing to others. In this way we may all come to a deeper understanding of our own calling and baptism, knowing that it is meant to make us aware of our identity as beloved children of God!

And may we continue to strive to be a family of faith that reaches out to the community with the message, “You have a place where you can belong.”

Amen.