Down at the River

In those days Jesus came from

 Nazareth of Galilee

and was baptized by 

John in the Jordan.

Mark 1:9

As seminarian one of my duties was teaching the confirmation class. On communion Sunday it was the pastor's practice to lay his hand on the shoulder of a confirmand and say a brief blessing instead of serving the elements. The pastor came to one confirmand, placed bread in his hand, realized the youth hadn't been confirmed, and took the bread back. 

Something didn't seem right with that action. 

That was followed by a professor who said that confirmation is a ritual in search of a meaning. This was also the beginning of my journey in understanding Christian baptism.

That journey led to the following conclusions:

• Christian baptism by water and the Spirit is a commitment to following Jesus manifesto of the Great Commandment, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and healing the sick.
• It is a commitment to resisting evil, injustice and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.
• It is unconditional inclusion into the community of Christ we call the Church and therefore a place at the Lord's Table.
• It is a "means of grace"
• Confirmation is renewing the vows made at our baptism. 
• Remembering we are baptized is key to remembering what Christian living means.

Jesus never said following him was easy. It wasn't then. It isn't now. But of one thing I am certain, baptism by water and the Spirit empowers us do our best at living the baptized life. 

I am also certain that, by Grace, God accepts our efforts.