This Sunday, as part of our ongoing “Jesus’ Early Years” sermon series, we will be focusing on the story of Jesus’ baptism. It is a powerful moment where God’s love is declared over Jesus, and it’s a story we hold dearly in the church because it reminds us of our own baptism and the claim God has on our lives.
As part of this celebration, our Sunday School students, who have been learning the story of Jesus’ baptism this month, will help us celebrate baptism in worship. We’ll be invited to remember our baptism and be thankful, or if you have yet to be baptized, to anticipate this moment with joy and excitement.
For some of us, recalling our baptism might feel difficult. After all, it’s hard for babies to remember such an event. I myself was baptized at the age of 14, and while I remember choosing to be baptized, I don’t have any vivid memories of the service, or the words spoken over me. I don’t recall the liturgy or the profound spiritual experiences some might associate with such a moment. But I do have a photo, and more importantly, I have the memory of that choice—of saying “yes” to God’s invitation.
Though the memory might not always be clear, the sacrament itself remains a constant and important part of my faith. Baptism is a reminder that we are God’s beloved. It is God’s claim on our lives, regardless of the details we may forget or the experiences we might not feel in the moment. It’s so easy to listen to the voices that tell us we’re not enough or not worthy, but baptism proclaims to us that we are loved by God—a love that will never fade.
For those who have not yet been baptized, this Sunday is a beautiful opportunity to anticipate that moment and consider God’s invitation to baptism with joy. It’s a chance to think about how God’s grace can be made real in our lives, a grace that is free, unearned, and offered to all.
As we gather in-person or online this Sunday, I invite you to remember the claim God has made on your life, whether you remember your baptism or not. Touch some water, and hear these words—spoken over Jesus, but true for each of us: “You are my child, with you I am well pleased.”
Come and celebrate, come and remember, and come and anticipate the grace God offers to all.
Blessings,
