Mark 1:4-11 (The Baptism of Jesus.)

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 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. 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 thong 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 on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

We know that God has no favourites, and that he treats everybody impartially. We also know that we should apply the same standard of behaviour towards everyone. Having said that, how would we behave if the Queen came knocking on our door? I would imagine we would bring out the best china…if we had any. I have never preached to royalty, but I recall double-checking what I was going to say when I knew my father was going to be in the congregation. It comes as no surprise, therefore, to see that John the Baptist wobbled when he saw Jesus approaching him. John wasn’t at all sure if his preaching and baptizing were appropriate for Jesus, but Jesus insisted that he carried on as before and treated him like all the rest. This must have been a difficult moment for John but let’s remember another awkward event involving water. 

On the night before his crucifixion Jesus wanted to wash his disciples’ feet. This was a ritual normally provided by a servant. Peter objected, but Jesus insisted and said, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with me’. In this great act of humility Jesus was breaking down the hierarchical structures that placed masters above servants. We can now interpret Jesus’ words as, ‘Unless you accept that we are all equal, we will never be one’. And so we return to the Jordan River and Jesus’ baptism. By insisting on being baptized Jesus was saying that he wanted to fully identify with us. Whatever baptism represented, Jesus wanted to show that they were all in it together as equals. 

I must admit that I find it difficult to treat Jesus as an equal. It just doesn’t sound right. After all, he is the Son of God. I want to object and insist on giving Jesus preferential, reverential, treatment. I put this point to him in prayer, and I got an answer! Yes, I was given permission to treated Jesus preferentially and reverentially. What a relief! But then Jesus carried on saying to me, ‘But I will require you to treat everybody else with a similar degree of reverence.’ I felt as though I had just been spiritually tricked. But then I remembered a prayer we often say: “Give grace to us, our families and friends, and to all our neighbours, that we may serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us.” I know I am slow, but why has it taken me so long to realise what Jesus meant!