Sermon: "Whose We Are"
The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg
Third Bishop of East Tennessee

[This sermon by Bishop vonRosenberg was delivered using the following notes.]

In the Northwestern part of our country, the lumber industry is big business. Logging has long been a primary occupation for pioneer-types in those great forests. When individuals - rather than big companies - are involved in logging, an interesting custom occurs. The owner of a log - the one who chopped down the tree - clears a certain spot on the log. Then, he cuts his initials into that spot. Next, he sets the log adrift down the river with hundreds of other logs, on their way to some point where they will be picked up.

Thus, the ownership of those logs is known. No matter how far the logs go, no matter what happens along the way, no matter how confused the log jam of the journey may become, ownership of the logs is certain. Whose logs they are is known and respected.

Now, switch settings with me. Move from a great river in the forests of the Northwest to a small bit of water in the back of this church - from a logging camp to a service of Baptism.

A person is baptized in the water of Baptism, and then the sign of the cross is made on that person's forehead. The person is called by name and is spoken to in these words: "You are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own for ever" (BCP, p. 308).

A name is given at Baptism, and that is an important event - the naming. Baptism is the time of rebirth - being born again - and so, giving a name is a significant aspect of what we do then. However, Baptism is more than simply giving a name. More than who we are, Baptism identifies whose we are.

No matter how far the Christian goes, no matter what happens along the way, no matter how confused the log jam of the journey may become, ownership of the Christian is certain. Whose person the Christian is remains known. "You are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own for ever."

The one whose we become at Baptism is Jesus Christ. We are his possession - marked as his own. As the first citizen - the leader - of this new community of Baptism, Jesus himself was baptized as well.

The reason for Christian Baptism, finally, is that Jesus was baptized. That he was baptized explains why we are baptized. That he is our Lord tells why Baptism is so important and so central to our Christian lives. That we are his - "marked as Christ's own for ever" - tells who we are and whose we are.

We have the privilege this morning of participating in both Baptism and Confirmation, and the connections between the two are absolutely essential and fundamental. Indeed, it is to the sacrament of Baptism that Confirmation refers. The candidate for Confirmation today will reaffirm her Baptismal promises. Each one of us will renew our Baptismal Covenant. The Baptismal relationship with Jesus Christ is being confirmed today. Indeed, Baptism provides life and meaning to Confirmation.

Now, let's look at that event which is so central and fundamental to all these considerations - the Baptism of Jesus. That event was the subject of our Gospel reading and the name of this particular Sunday of the church year.

There is historical importance to the place that the Baptism of Jesus happened - the Jordan River. The valley of the Jordan was formed in prehistoric times. It was a geological fault, a great rift in the earth, which remains a prominent feature of the landscape there. Through history, the Jordan Valley has alternated between being a place of dense settlement and a location of sparse population. The numbers of people there has depended simply on their ability to utilize the water supply, as well as on the reality of war or peace in this area so crucial to area politics.

In biblical times, in particular, the Jordan River was quite significant. It divided the kingdoms of Abram and Lot, for instance. Also, in the conquest of Canaan - the Promised Land - the Jordan was the last obstacle to be overcome before God's promise could be fulfilled. Possession of parts of the Jordan was critical during the warring periods of the Judges and early Kings. Finally, the Jordan was the setting for the miracles of Elijah and Elisha.

It was into this historically significant place that John the Baptist came. He preached of repentance, of preparing the way for the Messiah to come, and of Baptism as the visible indication of a change of direction in life. And he preached on the bank of the Jordan River.

John was a cousin of Jesus - an older cousin in fact. John was apparently the "religious" one of the two - or so it seemed. He was out there in the wilderness, talking about God and repentance all the time. On the other hand, Jesus was a carpenter, doing the honorable labor of his earthly father. At the time of their encounter by the Jordan River, there had been few previous indications of the big changes that were about to happen. As one writer put it, Jesus "was a thirty-year old man launching a new career" (Francis Johnson). Soon after this event - and after Jesus' new career got started - there were some indications of rivalry and competition for disciples between John and Jesus.

While we actually know very little about the relationship between these two, it is fair to say that this Jordan River preacher seems a bit puzzling to us - older cousin of Jesus, prophet, forerunner of the Messiah, and baptizer of Jesus himself. A very interesting man John was - interesting, puzzling, unknown in many ways, and yet, very important as well.

Now, finally, we turn to the meaning of the event in question for us. What significance does the Baptism of Jesus have for us today?

Jesus freely chose to be baptized. That is very important. The one whose we are does not ask anything more of us than he is willing to do himself. Isn't that a quality - an essential mark - of a great leader? He practices what he preaches. Jesus is baptized, and he expects the same of his followers.

This quality of leadership is consistent throughout Jesus' life. Later, he is willing to suffer abuse, torture, and death, for he knows that his followers will likewise suffer. We need to know that our Lord has done the same. That Jesus suffered; that he struggled in relationships with other people and, even with God; that he lived a life like ours - those things are important to us in our lives. Jesus Christ, Lord of life, knows what we go through … and he knows it first-hand.

And then, the last word is that Jesus is victorious over all the powers of this world - even over death. Because of our association with him in Baptism, in life, in suffering, and in death, we have hope for more ourselves. Our ultimate hope is for association and union with Christ always - a union that endures death and reaches resurrection, final victory.

Thus, in conclusion, Baptism is the beginning of a new life - and it is Baptism that we affirm in very clear and direct ways in the service of Confirmation. By Baptism we are "born again" - born into the family of God and the brotherhood of Jesus Christ. We are "marked as Christ's own for ever" by a mark that endures - the mark of the cross of Christ on our foreheads … the mark of Baptism.

Thanks be to God! Amen.

Copyright © 2006 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee