Who Am I?

Collect for Thursday in the First Week of Lent
Strengthen us, O Lord, by your grace, that in your might we may overcome all spiritual enemies, and with pure hearts serve you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


“Who am I?”
Reflection on Matthew 3:13-17

In this passage, we catch up with Jesus for the first time since he was 12 years old. We know that he grew in height and wisdom, and was loved by God and all who knew him (Luke 2:52), but other than that, we’ve pretty much been left in the dark. 18 years have passed… Jesus is now about 30, and we find him at the Jordan River. His 80-mile journey from Galilee (probably Nazareth, his home town) to the place where John was baptizing (probably somewhere near Bethany or Jericho) would have taken at least 4 days to cover on foot.

John is bewildered when Jesus asks to be baptized. He recognizes Jesus’ superiority, and in an act of humility is asking, “Who am I to baptize the Son of God?” But we know John was commissioned to “prepare the way for the Lord” (Luke 1:76). So, in obedience to God’s will, John baptizes Jesus. And, in obedience to God’s will, Jesus humbles himself to be baptized. Next, something incredible happens: John finds himself in the real presence of the Holy Trinity! The Son stands before him, the Spirit descends from the heavens, and the Father’s voice comes from the clouds. I like to imagine what this would have looked like- the sky parting, heavenly light pouring down…. The proud voice of Abba, pleased with His Son. I imagine everyone stopping in their tracks, gawking at the awesome beauty that is the presence of God. The Father is presenting Jesus as His Son, and he’s doing it with honor, and glory, and love (Matthew 3:17). Moments later, John presents Jesus to the people as God’s Son, and he does it with humility and praise (John 1:29-31)

Our story is not so different. Don’t we have our own commissioning, like John? Aren’t we called to be (and make) disciples? God wants us to present his Son, too. Though we are not fit to carry his sandals, we are commanded to prepare the way for the Lord. He wants us to give Jesus honor, glory, and praise. He wants us to serve others with love and humility. We may ask, “Who am I?” but the fact is that God already knows us perfectly! Now let us serve Him in obedience, so that he may be well pleased!

Samantha Jablonski
Zion Episcopal Church – Oconomowoc

Voice in the Wilderness

Collect for Wednesday in the First Week of Lent

Bless us, O God, in this holy season, in which our hearts seek your help and healing; and so purify us by your discipline that we may grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


Voice in the Wilderness
Reflection on Matthew 3:1-12

I am a singer who has performed George Frideric Handel’s oratorio Messiah many, many times over the past 30 or so years. The first time I did it was in high school as a freshman. As a relative novice to performing in a choral ensemble, I was more concerned back then with trying to figure out how to read music and to sing well, not considering at the time the meaning of the words I was singing. By the time I got to concert week, that was when I started to gain an appreciation of the words (which were all from Scripture). The tenor, in his opening recitative, sang the words of Isaiah: “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’” When I heard Isaiah’s words in the setting of that glorious music, the meaning of that passage became crystal clear. That proclamation would change the course of history, and there was no turning back to the past.

John the Baptist was that “voice in the wilderness”. He prepared the way for Jesus.

I can only imagine what John’s emotions were as he performed baptisms along the banks of the river Jordan. He knew the coming of the Messiah was very, very near. He knew the prophecy that Isaiah made many years before and was not afraid to boldly proclaim it, even in front of the Pharisees and Sadducees. And he also knew that we as sinners need to repent of our sins so that we can be ready for the One who makes all things new.

John the Baptist and the musical Godspell have a connection…preaching repentance. I am reminded of some lyrics that came to me from Godspell: “Turn back, o man, forswear thy foolish ways.” That’s a worthy goal to strive for this Lenten season.

Steve Murphy
St. Boniface, Mequon, WI