Brothers and sisters, beginning January 8 and throughout the season of Epiphany we intend to use the liturgy of Divine Service Setting One beginning on page 151 in your hymnals.
January 8 is the celebration of the baptism of Jesus. You may ask, why is His baptism important to me? Be aware of several reasons. First, its significance is indicated by being one of the events in Jesus’ life reported in all 4 of the gospel writers’ accounts. After the baptism, God speaks from heaven, and the Spirit descends looking like a dove. This is one of the few places where all three Persons of the Triune God are described in the same setting. And as God speaks, He declares Jesus to be His Son. This claim may be familiar to you, but don’t overlook the significance—this man walking among the people at the Jordan River is the divine Son. And here He is beginning His public ministry. His work is indicated by His insistence on being baptized even though He is not a sinner—He was fulfilling all righteousness, that is, He is going to enact God’s deeds of salvation. Jesus enters the waters of the Jordan, joining those being baptized, in order that we can be joined to Him n baptism, the eternal benefits of His upcoming death and resurrection being transferred to each of us by name. It would be a good time to review the catechism, what baptism is and what its benefits are. Baptism is the gospel word of God attached to water, by which He distributes and we receive the Holy Spirit, and He works in us the forgiveness of sins. As Jesus puts it in John 3, in being baptized by God we are reborn.
Scripture readings selected for January 8 are Psalm 20; Isaiah 42:1-9; Romans 6:1-11; and Matthew 3:13-17.
Hymns chosen for the day are #394 Songs of Thankfulness and Praise; #405 To Jordan’s River Came Our Lord; #411 I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light; and during the distribution of the Lord’s Supper #598 Once in the Blest Baptismal Waters.
COLLECT: Father in heaven, at the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River You proclaimed Him Your beloved Son, and anointed Him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized in His name faithful in their calling as Your children, and inheritors with Him of everlasting life; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
