Baptism of the Lord, January 11, 2026
First Congregational Church of Cheshire
© the Rev. Dr. James Campbell
Mark 1:4-11
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And the whole Judean region and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him and were baptized by him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
Hindsight, they say, is 20/20. And if that is true, then our celebrations of Christmas benefit from 2000 years of hindsight. And that means that there is no mystery left in it. We know who this child was and we know what this child would grow up to be.
But have you ever wondered when Jesus himself actually knew any of that? When did he first suspect that maybe he wasn’t just the son of a carpenter? Had his mother ever told him any of the strange stories that surrounded his conception and birth? Did he suspect he was different when he was 12 and winning debates with religion scholars? Or did he have a vision? Or did he hear a voice? Did this understanding come to him all at once or slowly over time?
“In those days,” Mark writes, “Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.” And that, some scholars say, is the precise moment when Jesus finally got it! They point out that not only did Jesus hear the voice of God telling him: “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” But, they say, it was immediately after this event that Jesus moved with purpose and determination into his public ministry. It was his baptism that clarified everything.
And if that is true, just what was it about that event that was so clarifying? Was it something as obvious as hearing the voice of God? Or was it something John the Baptist said? Or is it possible that the location itself was key to unlocking this mystery?
Some years ago, I received a phone call from a parishioner who had abruptly disappeared from my life. That disappearance had perplexed me and hurt my feelings. So, when I got this call after so much time had passes, I was taken aback. After a few moments of polite and uncomfortable pleasantries, this person said: “I’m calling to apologize for the way I behaved. I know now that it was hurtful. And I am truly sorry.” Well, I was touched by his apology, but also perplexed. What had prompted him to pick up the phone after all this time and to say such things? And then it struck me that maybe my old friend was in recovery and that he was making amends as one of his twelve steps.
Over the years, I have known a number of people in recovery and, while the details of their stories are different, the turning point is often the same. They speak of hitting rock bottom and of going so low that the only way left to go is up. And so, with the help of the program and sponsors and a lot of hard work, they move with purpose toward a new life.
Which brings me back to the baptism of Jesus, and why this event might have been the turning point that set him on the course toward his new life.
The Jordan River flows into the Dead Sea, that briny place where nothing can live. And the spot where the river empties into the sea is literally the lowest place on the planet. It is 1407 feet below sea level. It’s a bottom place and once you leave there, the only direction left to go is up. And so, I wonder, was there something about being at the bottom of the world that clarified Jesus’s mission and prepared him to save those of us so often on the bottom?
Sometimes we end up there by choices we make. But sometimes we end up at the bottom through no choice of our own. We get sick. The company downsizes. A lover betrays us. A gunman walks into school. A country tetters on the edge of lawlessness. And suddenly it’s the very bottom of the world.
But even though the bottom is a place we do not seek; even though we would prefer to be anywhere else, there is something about the bottom of the world that is clarifying. And if we are willing, it can even be transformative.
So, there Jesus was at the bottom of the world, coming up out of the water, when all of a sudden, he saw the heavens torn apart, and the Spirit descending like a dove, and a voice from heaven announced, “You are my Son, the Beloved, with you I am well pleased.” And even though Jesus was, in that moment, as far down as a human can go, was suddenly on top of the world.
Many years ago, my mentor in ministry, the Rev. George Bailey, and his wife Betty invited me to spend some time with them on Cape Cod, where they had a small cottage in Wellfleet. I had never been to the Cape before, so I gladly accepted.
And I really needed the break, because this invitation came during a very turbulent time in my young adult life. I had just relocated to New Jersey to begin my doctoral studies and to work in a new church. It should have been a very exciting time, but instead I was plagued with doubts about my faith. I was haunted by the thought that I was wasting my life in the ministry. And I struggled to accept myself as God had made me. I was about as low as I had ever been.
But I trusted George. And I had a sense that if I talked to him, it would be clarifying. And so, after a few days on the Cape, I asked him if we could speak alone. And he suggested we take a walk.
We ended up on a beautiful stretch of beach on the bluest day in May you can imagine. There wasn’t another person in sight. It was just me and George and all my fears.
We sat on a piece of driftwood and a deep silence ensued. Finally, I screwed up my courage and told him my story – all of it. I told him about the dark nights of the soul, and the plaguing doubts, and the deep fear. And when I was all done; when I said all I wanted to say, it was silent again – neither looking at the other – eyes out to sea.
And then, the most marvelous thing happened. George put his arm around my shoulder and simply said: “I’m so proud of you.” -- It was a transformative moment I shall never forget. Because the heaven opened and grace came pouring down and I could breathe again.
I had no idea what the future would hold, but I understood that I was loved and accepted by George, and for me, that meant I was loved and accepted by God. And my life has never, ever been the same.
“And a voice came from heaven,” Mark writes, “You are my Son, the Beloved, with you I am well pleased.”
We all know the muddy bottom of life. Some of you might be there now. Maybe you wonder what you’re even doing in church, with the mud of doubt and fear and anger clinging to your hair and clothes and soul. But here’s the thing: muddy is the only way we come. And God, who loves us body and soul, loves us, mud and all. And by his grace, he washes us clean, and calls us beloved, and sends us on our way.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
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