Jesus’ Baptism. As I write, it is the week of the Baptism of our Lord. I have heard several great sermons about Jesus’ Baptism this week — we preach on the Sunday’s readings daily here in Seminary chapel. As I have listened, the words of my dear friend and colleague Dr. Jeffrey Gibbs have also come to mind. He always encouraged his students to preach not our Baptism, but Jesus’ Baptism. What do we learn about Jesus Christ when we ponder the fact that John baptized Jesus, who was sinless, in a baptism of repentance for sins (Matt. 3:6)?
As we approach the end of Epiphany and the beginning of Lent, the Baptism of Jesus provides beautiful content for our meditation. Jesus stood in the place of sinners. Jesus suffered in the stead of sinners. Jesus’ death on the cross was a vicarious sacrifice; that is, He died in our place, suffering the shame and death that we deserved, so that we might be forgiven and welcomed by God. This is the heart of Lent.
Lent is a season of repentance and solemn reflection. As we enter this holy time, let our reflection be on our Lord and His love, and not another excuse to think about ourselves. Let our Lenten fasts move our gaze outside of ourselves and onto the one who came to take the place of sinners, to become sin even though He has no sin (2 Cor. 5:21). Let our gaze always be on the one who died and rose out of divine love, even for sinners, even for you and me.
The great joy of our lives will ever be the Good News of Jesus. He has borne your sins in His body on the tree. He has conquered death and the grave and gives to you a share in His eternal life. He lives and reigns as Heaven’s King and continues to give to you His gifts of Word and Sacrament. He will come again and raise you and all believers to eternal life.
Let us ponder and meditate on such things. In this way, this season of Lent will be not only a season of proper repentance and sorrow, but also of true love and joy.
In Christ’s love,
Thomas J. Egger
President