AND JESUS TOO

When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too.  -- Luke 3:21a

I'm in Waco (Truett Seminary) at a 2 day preaching workshop. Dr. Fred Craddock was the guest preacher in chapel today. He preached from Luke, chapter 3, focusing on verse 21. Jesus being baptized with all the people. He spoke of what that looked like when Luke reports it. Jesus is standing in line at the river waiting his turn to be baptized. He's standing there with all those who have come to hear John and be baptized. The clergy are there. The poor are there. The rich are there. The harlots and the tax-collectors are there. The soldiers are there. And Jesus is standing in line with them ... waiting to be baptized.

"I don't like standing in line," Craddock says. Well, who does? I hate lines. I'm always looking for the express lane. I always want to know if there's a way around it. Can't I pay online? Can't I register by email? Do I really have to stand in line with all the other people? I know there are those who have to wait in line ... but, I think I should be expempt from such a time wasting activity.  And then there's Jesus ... waiting in line with all the rest of the folks.

Everyone's the same in a line. That's the problem. The person who got there two seconds before you, is before you ... it doesn't matter who they are or who you are ... who they know or don't know ... what station in life they are in ... what they do for a living ... NO! In a line everyone is treated the same. First come, first serve. No cutting. Everyone the same. And there's Jesus waiting in line to be baptized by John just like the rest of the people.

John baptizes in the Jordan and then yells, "Next." And the next person steps forward. Down they go, up they come. They move back to the shore shaking the water from their hair, and John yells, "Next." And there's Jesus waiting in line just like all the rest. Don't they know who he is?  Don't they know where he comes from? John does. But it doesn't matter. When all the people were being baptized. Jesus was batized too. There's Jesus -- just look at him -- waiting in line right behind the harlot and in front of the tax-collector -- there's Jesus ... waiting in line.

When it's his turn the heavens open up. But not while he's in line. While he's in line, he's just like everyone else. He's with the people. That's why he came. To be with the people. To be one of them.

So ... you want to be like Jesus? Get in line.

blessings,

pastore ellis

Comments

[Kenny]

Nice piece "and Jesus too"!
I could see, hear and smell it all. Very goo work.
I also like it that you finally embraced the Italian origins of the Pastoral calling in your sign-off.
Have a good day, godfather.
Kenny