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Jesus is Baptized – Between Sundays for the Week of January 12, 2026

Matthew 3:13-17 provides this gospel’s account of Jesus’ baptism, which is also the first appearance of the adult Jesus. This first appearance begs the question: what’s noteworthy about this first time the adult Jesus appears? 

To answer that question it helps to remind ourselves about what we’ve learned so far about Jesus. We’ve learned that Jesus is the Messiah and descends from King David. We know that his earthly father, Joseph, was a man of unusual character. We’ve seen how magi arrived from afar in search of a king. Rather than offer their homage and praise to King Herod, they made their way to Jesus’ home where they kneeled before the young child and offered their gifts.

In the opening chapters of Matthew, it’s clear that Jesus is not just another child born to another family: Jesus is God’s Messiah, the one long-promised. Up to this point, Jesus’ identity has only been known to Matthew’s readers and those already inside the story. But now at Jesus’ baptism, as the adult Jesus appears for the first time and emerges from the Jordan, God’s voice speaks from the heavens and announces to all who will listen: This is my son, my Beloved.

By appearing in this way and submitting himself to John’s baptism, Jesus is revealing what exactly it means to be God’s chosen one. It means laying aside any earthly notions of kingly power in order to embrace humility, submitting his will to a power beyond himself, adopting the role of a servant of God, embracing a mission that reveals to the world God’s righteous way of justice, peace, healing, and liberation, and inviting all who follow him to be part of this same mission.

In a world that celebrates might, supremacy, and wealth and encourages us to do whatever it takes to get ahead and amass power and privilege, Jesus’ first appearance at his baptism reveals that God’s chosen one will embody power and majesty through humility and service and love. All of us who have been baptized into Christ’s body are also God’s chosen ones and are called to this same path of humility, service, and love.

In the context of all that has come before it, Jesus’ first appearance in Matthew’s gospel reveals in ways simple and subtle that he will be a different kind of king. And King Jesus calls us to follow his humble, grace-filled way in seeking justice and peace for all.

P.S. Share in Bethlehem’s celebration of the Baptism of our Lord in worship from Sunday here (the gospel reading begins at 24:49). Links to previous worship videos on Facebook and YouTube are always available on our website.

In the liturgical year, Baptism of the Lord is the first Sunday following the Day of Epiphany. To commemorate this event, celebrate your own baptisms this week. Begin by talking about the baptisms of the people in your family. Here are some suggested guiding questions to help your discussion:
1) What date were you baptised?
2) How old were you when you were baptised?
3) Where was your baptism held?
4) Who was there? Who are your Godparents?
5) What did you wear? Was it something connected to tradition in your family?
6) Were candles, blankets, or other tokens given to mark the baptism?

For children and teens, parents may need to answer these questions, and most likely all family members will need to do a little research for some of the answers. If you have pictures or mementos from any of the baptisms, take them out for everyone to see and touch.

Next, if you have baptismal candles, light them! (if you do not, light other candles you may have on hand) Candles remind us that through baptism, the Light of Christ shines through each of us.
Next, have your family sit in a circle, facing each other. Pass a small bowl of water around the circle. Dip a finger into the water, and make the sign of the cross on the person’s head or hand next to you. Have someone read this prayer: Thank God for the gift of baptism, which affirms our faith, washes us clean with God’s love and forgiveness, welcomes us to the vast community of siblings in Christ and grants us a new life of service and sharing the gospel wherever we go. Amen. 
Finally, end this celebration of baptism by sharing a sweet treat (like a cupcake!) together.

Ponderings

Hymn Text: O Christ, What Can It Mean for Us (ELW 431)

O Christ, what can it mean for us

to claim you as our king?

What royal face have you revealed

whose praise the church would sing?

Aspiring not to glory’s height,

to power, wealth, and fame,

you walked a diff’rent, lowly way,

another’s will your aim.

You came, the image of our God,

to heal and to forgive,

to shed your blood for sinners’ sake

that we might rise and live.

To break the law of death you came,

the law of love to bring:

a diff’rent rule of righteousness,

a diff’rent kind of king.

Though some would make their greatness felt

and lord it over all,

you said the first must be the last

and service be our call.

O Christ in workplace, church, and home,

let none to power cling;

for still, through us, you come to serve,

a diff’rent kind of king.

You chose a humble human form

and shunned the world’s renown;

you died for us upon a cross

with thorns your only crown.

But still, beyond the span of years,

our glad hosannas ring,

for now at God’s right hand you reign,

a diff’rent kind of king!

Text: Delores Dufner, OSB, b. 1939