Mark 1:4-11
4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
Sermon:
The voice of the Lord is powerful; full of majesty. Psalms 29:4 (NRSV)
We know that God is not human…and are pretty sure that God is above having human emotions…which we have all been cautioned about…specifically pride…which could lead to arrogance. We have also been cautioned about spoiling our children…or about making them become too self-centered. So while we want to raise good children and good citizens…we try not openly showing our pride in them…especially in their presence. We don’t want it going to their heads and puffing them up too much.
In the church we are especially mindful about the sinfulness which comes from pride. The Biblical writers continuously caution us about the effects of pride. Listen to what some say about pride. We will begin with some quotes from the writer of Proverbs;
- When pride comes, then comes disgrace; Prov 11:2 (NRSV)
- Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Prov 16:18 (NRSV)
- A person’s pride will bring humiliation, but one who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. Prov 29:23 (NRSV)
- 11 The haughty eyes of people shall be brought low, and the pride of everyone shall be humbled; and the Lord alone will be exalted on that day. 12 For the Lord of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up and high; 17 The haughtiness of people shall be humbled, and the pride of everyone shall be brought low; Isaiah 2:11-17 (NRSV)
- “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6 (NRSV)
It seems that in God’s eyes… pride is an evil emotion to be avoided.
As Christian people we have taken to heart the cautions against showing pride… We are especially careful when it comes to our children… We don’t want their pride leading to the results predicted in the passages from the Bible. So very often we faithfully follow the Biblical instruction.
Garrison Kiellor is an American humorist writer who writes tales from the Lutheran community ofLakeWobegon. One of his stories seems to illustrate this sentiment very well. The story is set during the time when the “Promise Keepers” movement for men was telling men to tell their family members that they love them.
A small group of men fromLakeWobegonwent to the convention… It was a wonderful experience. On leaving for home each person was instructed that before they go to sleep that night they should tell someone in their family that they love him or her. When John got home from the convention his euphoria had waned somewhat…so he was relieved to find everyone in his house asleep. Not wanting to wake anyone just to tell them that he loved them…John decided to phone his brother Michael who he rarely talked to because Michael had moved away from home a number of years ago.
Michael was surprised by the phone call…and his brother’s unsolicited declaration of love. It caused him to think back about his family. He thought about his high school years. He was a better than average athlete. On graduating college scouts came offering a football scholarship. After college Michael did not return but took a job in the big city…working for an Italian contractor… who was the father of a dark eyed beauty. The emotions in Michael’s new family were always on a virtual roller coast of extremes. Family suppers at the in-laws were noisy rambunctious affairs… Everyone was talking and yelling at the same time…agreeing and disagreeing with each other… At one moment they voiced their love for each other…but only seconds later they were in an argument telling the other that hear another word ever would be too soon. But by the end of the night…when Michael, his wife, and children were leaving…everyone hugged and squeezed each other saying once again; “I love you.”
Now as Michael recalled the phone call from his brother… Michael could help comparing his new family with his Lutheran family back atLakeWobegon. In contrast to his Italian family… his conservative Lutheran family frowned on even moderately emotional out-breaks… The meal table was at time to be thankful for the food we are about to receive and for strengthening our bodies…not for rowdy conversation…and certainly not for arguments. Thinking back about his hard working father…he tried remembering receiving direct words of praise…from his mouth. He did remember one time… when he had quietly walked into the house to hear his parents talking between themselves. His mother was proudly showing dad Michael’s final report card… It was a good report card with mostly A’s and only a few B’s. This dad looked closely at the report card. He looked up paused and then uttered the only words of pride that Michael had ever heard escape his father’s lip; “I guess he’s a good boy.”
We Christians have been taught well… God opposes the proud…pride leads to destruction…pride brings humiliation …and with pride comes disgrace. We know that pride is an emotion which causes evil. And we know that God would prefer us having none.
Therefore we are sometimes surprised when we hear the words of God’s in today’s gospel. As Jesus comes up out of the water…we can almost hear the pride in the voice which comes from heaven… And the voice is not boastful like the voice of someone in the coffee shop…proudly telling other parents about the achievements of his son. The voice is spoken …not to those passing by… or those in the crowds who have gathered at the Jordan… listening to John the Baptist. It is not a voice spoken quietly without the intention of being heard. Rather the voice from heaven speaks directly to Jesus. It is filled with power and emotion; “You are my son, the beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
Our God is far from emotionless. As God speaks to Jesus at the time of his baptism…God also speaks to each of us… At our baptism…God tells us the same things. God promises that we will never be forgotten. As Jesus heard we also hear the proud voice of God. We hear the words that every child wishes to hear from their father and mother from their God; “You are my daughter, you are my son, Beloved by God, and with you I am well pleased.” Yes our God is pleased to be our God…our God loves us…and we are sons and daughters of our God… And yes our God is proud that we are.
Therefore since we are proud loved sons and daughters of God…let us thankfully hear God voice. And then let us share the words of God’s voice with those who need to hear them. Thanks be to God. Amen
