The new year comes with the hope and promise of much needed change for many people. It is a ‘clean slate’ kind of opportunity … a chance for a 12-month do-over or a much needed reset. Whether it’s a decision to get in shape, be kinder, give more, drink less, or be more mindful of your spiritual life, a lot of folks are using the change of the year to trigger a change of the life. Our lectionary passage today speaks directly into that mindset as we contemplate baptism and what happens in that most sacred act.

You will find that each denomination has its own take on baptism, and people differ on whether or not it should be infants, professing adults, or anyone at any age. I don’t think God cares about our delineations. Baptism is a moment of being named and claimed by God, and the water washing symbolizes a fresh start and the cleansing of sin, whether it is personal sin (as for an adult) or original sin (as for an infant). Baptism is about life-change. We baptize in Jesus’ name and remember that he was once baptized, too.

Mark 1 (The Message)

^4-6 John the Baptizer appeared in the wild, preaching a baptism of life-change that leads to forgiveness of sins. People thronged to him from Judea and Jerusalem and, as they confessed their sins, were baptized by him in the Jordan River into a changed life. John wore a camel-hair habit, tied at the waist with a leather belt. He ate locusts and wild field honey.

One thing that is unique about United Methodism is that we do not re-baptize, like some of our friends in other denominations do. For us, the fact that God is the agent in our baptisms means that it is a ‘one and done’ affair. We don’t need to re-do what God did. But surely sin can wreck our good intentions, and repentant Methodists are invited to re-dedicate their baptism, an action that says that while God didn’t fail, we did. It can be a very healing and cleansing thing to re-dedicate your baptism and know that your repentance and God’s forgiveness, sealed at the cross, can bring you to a fresh start toward a changed life.

^7-8 As he preached he said, “The real action comes next: The star in this drama, to whom I’m a mere stagehand, will change your life. I’m baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. His baptism—a holy baptism by the Holy Spirit—will change you from the inside out.”

Eugene Peterson’s portrayal of John declaring that he is a mere stagehand is so charming, isn’t it? We’re all just stagehands in this beautiful production. There are some pastors out there who would do well to remember this. Jesus is the only star in this drama.

^9-11 At this time, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. The moment he came out of the water, he saw the sky split open and God’s Spirit, looking like a dove, come down on him. Along with the Spirit, a voice: “You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life.”

I believe that God says the same to us. You are my child. You are chosen. You are marked by my love. I’m so proud of you!

Are you baptized? Are you in need of a re-dedication or re-baptism in order to start all over again? I encourage you to run, don’t walk, to your nearest church and find a preacher with a pitcher or a pool. If you’re resolved to change your life from the inside out in this new year, there is no better way to begin.

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Come to the Waters by Michelle Robertson