Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29, and Matthew 3:13-17
Everyone gets lost at some point while walking down the road. At this point, some people may use Google Maps on their phones to find the right way back. Other people may ask other people on the street for directions. But what should you do if you get lost in the mountains? It’s not an easy problem. In the army, there is a platoon leader who must lead 30 men to their destination on time. I also wonder why this thought suddenly popped into my head while I was preparing my Sunday sermon. 18 years ago, I had to climb a mountain and hike 10km carrying a 20kg bag and a rifle for training. However, the mountain was so steep that phones and GPS devices did not work. There was a training controller next to me, and he suggested the easy route, saying he would show me the easy way. But since I had a set mission, I looked at the moon, the map, and the compass and continued toward my destination. Of course, it wasn’t easy. But I was grateful for those days.
As I read the Bible today, I thought about what we should do when we feel lost. Do we have a compass, a map, and a moon? At this point, Jesus Christ came to mind. In the dark of night, it is difficult to see even 10 meters ahead. In my life, there have been times when I made decisions I thought were wise, but ended up with foolish results. When nothing promised hope for my future, I meditated on Christ. The passage from the Gospel of Matthew we read today brings me great comfort. These are words that clearly express why Jesus came.
Jesus visits John to be baptized. He came from Nazareth in Galilee to the Jordan River. John refuses Jesus’ baptism, saying that Jesus should baptize him. What is baptism? It is a pledge to repent of the sins committed throughout life and live a new life in God. Jesus, being sinless, did not need baptism. But as verse 15 says, “to fulfill all righteousness,” John baptizes Jesus. Jesus proclaims that he came to this earth to fulfill God’s justice. God’s righteousness is God’s plan and will. Baptism is a gift from God to His people who are suffering under the law. It is a promise of liberation for the people persecuted by the Roman Empire. And this baptism is the starting point for completing God’s plan to redeem humankind’s sins on the cross. So, in Jesus’ baptism, there is God’s compassion for humanity. There is God’s love for His children who suffer. There is a plan for righteous judgment against the ruling class, the Pharisees, and the Sadducees. And there is a reason why Jesus came to this land to give them an opportunity.
But the words that follow draw our attention even more. “16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment, heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” The heavens are opened, and the Spirit of God is with us. Scholars interpret this as a highly symbolic scene of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit together. So, through baptism, the Holy Spirit descends and perfects all things. In this way, through baptism, Jesus was united with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. He came to this earth to fulfill the righteousness of God the Father through this union. God proclaims to the world: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” There is an expression that says, “Love is willingly giving my time.” God spends time with the Holy Spirit at this place where Jesus was baptized. Jesus spent the last 30 years of his life in human form for us. Then, for the next three years, he diligently completes God’s work. The Holy Spirit is always with Jesus. They willingly give each other all this time. What is the reason? It is because God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit love us that they gave us their time and entered into the midst of human history. Because of that love.
So, how should we live, having received this great, deep, and wide love? I boldly invite you to live with the prophet Isaiah’s attitude. Verses 3 and 4. “3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; 4 he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”
Reeds, which grow in wetlands and along the water’s edge, were a familiar plant to people at the time because they also grew abundantly in the Jordan River. And it appears frequently as a symbolic expression in ancient Near Eastern literature and in the Bible. Reeds are fragile and easily swayed by the wind, so they represent the fragile human figure. But the prophet mentions a bruised reed among the reeds. It’s literally a reed that’s half broken. It is a metaphor for human life, depicting a situation that causes great physical and mental difficulties. But the servant of Jehovah says he will not break such people.
In fact, there is no problem throwing away the damaged reeds, as they are of no use. The kings of the world judge the broken reeds of humanity mercilessly in desperate situations. But God’s servant heals them and gives them new life. In fact, when the incarnate Messiah was on earth, he sought out sinners who were like bruised reeds. The Messiah expressed a greater and deeper love for them. He fulfilled this prophecy by performing a history of healing, restoration, and life for them.
Therefore, beloved, I pray that you will meditate on the reason Jesus came to this earth and live a life of love, just as Jesus did. So, I bless that the history of healing and restoration will happen around us through you. Amen.