RTNT 2021. Jesus’ baptism is one item that is covered in all four gospels, as I noted back in 2019. In setting the readings for this chronological study I have tried to keep chapters “together” as much as possible, again essentially doubling up the number of verses this year that we covered in 2019. Back then we split today’s reading into John’s baptism ministry and Jesus’ baptism on different days. So 2019’s two incidents are split into two dates, January 16 and January 20. See below.
I’ve always been struck by the three members of the Trinity all “showing up” at Jesus’ baptism – Jesus as His earthly self, the Holy Spirit “…descending like a dove and coming to rest” (v. 16b) on Jesus, and the Father speaking This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. (v. 17) They fit perfectly into Michael’s sermon today – the Water (Jesus and Baptism), the Word (the Father speaking), and the Holy Spirit appearing. It is not often – but also not uncommon – for the readings or the sermon at church on Sunday morning to also coincide with exactly what we are or have been or will be reading. That’s a double blessing when it happens!
See also January 16 / Matthew 3:1-12; January 20 / Matt. 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11
What struck me about today’s reading was the use of the word “fire”. Fire is mentioned twice in back-to-back sentences and I think it may have a different meaning in each of these instances.
John the Baptist says that he baptizes with water (for repentance of sins) but the one who comes after him (Christ, the Messiah) will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. In this instance John the Baptist may be using fire in the sense of the purifying fire. Fire was known in those days as a means to purify gold, for example. Impure gold would be melted in the fire; the impurities, which did not melt, would be skimmed off; and once the remaining liquid is cooled, the gold would be pure. So this meaning of fire is like the refiner’s fire.
In the very next sentence, John the Baptist says that when the Christ comes his winnowing fork will separate the wheat from the chaff, and the chaff will be burned in the “unquenchable fire”. This is the destroying fire. For example, it was known even at that time that iron could be heated to make it malleable, but it became brittle unless it was quenched immediately. Thus, the unquenchable fire destroys and does not purify.
Anyway, I thought that was interesting.
Folks, I found it one of those “God things” when the lectionary readings yesterday, Michael Matlock’s sermon, and our RTB passage and great discussion points all focused on the same narrative. In particular, Michael’s point about heaven, God’s dimension, breaking through into everyday reality was amazing.