“Will the Real Father of Jesus, Please Stand Up?”
January 12, 2003
The Rev. Dr. David M. Wendel
Saint Luke’s Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Lessons: Genesis
1:1-5; Acts 19:1-7; St. Mark 1:4-11
Today is the festival of the Baptism of our Lord—and the question of the day is—“Will the real Father of Jesus, please stand up?”
For those of us who know the Gospel story, who celebrate the conception and birth of Jesus every year, we know, from the very beginning, who Jesus is, and how he was conceived, and how it was that Joseph came to accept the responsibility of being Jesus’ “foster-father”, if you will. We know about the visits of the angel, the initial fear and uncertainty, and finally, the resolve, of both Mary and Joseph, to yield to the will of God, and to be players in God’s master plan. All of this, we have seen through the gospels, and know quite well. Imagine, however, how it was with those family members, friends, and townsfolk who knew Mary, knew Joseph, and knew Jesus when he was born. Joseph squelched a lot of rumors and unkind gossip, by marrying Mary—evidently before she began to show, as we say. For all anyone else knew, Jesus was son of both, Mary and Joseph, no questions asked—even though Jesus was born, not necessarily out of wedlock, but not quite far enough into it, either. The marriage made Jesus legal—and all would have assumed that Jesus was legitimate son of Joseph. It would have all seemed right, and natural, as Joseph not only acknowledged Jesus as his own son, but, trained him in the family business. Jesus was a carpenter, just like his father—a happy, well-adjusted, normal family like any other—or so it seemed. Until, Jesus left home. Now today, we all look forward to our children leaving home—some of us hope and pray for that day. Some of us pack up quickly, and move into smaller homes when they’re gone, so they won’t come back. And for some of our kids, the further away, the better. But in biblical times, as in some parts of the world today, for a son to leave home and family—raises questions. In Jesus’ world, family was the central social institution. Apart from the family, individual persons had no identity, or meaning in life. In fact, separating from the family was a kind of death—and everyone would’ve wondered what had happened in the Joseph and Mary household? Was there a fight? Had Jesus done something shamefully wrong? Had he embarrassed the family? A son meant strength and honor for the family. A son, especially a first-born son was expected to help the family, and provide support, and be there as his parents grew older and feeble. Jesus’ decision to leave home, would not have been understood by family and friends—and would’ve been seen as either rejection of his parents, or as ejection by his parents, for something he’d done. And from that point on—townsfolk and society would’ve seen Jesus as an orphan—an outcast. Which brings us to our gospel account—intended to answer the very important question—would the real Father of Jesus, please stand up? Or rather, who then, is the Father of Jesus?!
It was necessary, at some point in the life of Jesus, for it to be shown, to the world, that Jesus was not, in fact, the biological son of Joseph. And the way that this is revealed, is through the first, and pre-eminent manifestation, of the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Now, you may never have thought of the baptism of Jesus in just this way—but this is the first time, ever, that the Triune God reveals Himself, in such a powerful, and unmistakable way. And it happens, as the Son, comes to submit himself to His true Father, and the Father acknowledges the Son, both through His own words, “You are my Son, the Beloved”—and through the Spirit’s descent, in the form of a dove, anointing Jesus, as it were, after his baptism, so that, with His Father's blessing, and empowered by His Spirit, Jesus would be ready to begin His earthly ministry—not as Joseph’s son, but as Son of the Most High God—the Word made flesh to dwell among us, full of grace and truth. And in this manifestation—in this Epiphaneia—there is but one thing missing in this important public acknowledgement of Father and Son—it’s not public! In St. Mark’s account, there’s no one around to see, or hear. In St. Mark’s gospel, he describes it, saying, “And just as Jesus was coming up, out of the water, he, Jesus saw the heavens torn apart, and the Spirit descending, like a dove, on him. And a voice came from heaven…” Although others are not excluded in Mark’s account—other witnesses are not specifically mentioned—which would have been important in the ancient world—because for a father to acknowledge a son as his own, it had to be a public act—there had to be witnesses. In Jewish law, there had to be, at least, two witnesses to confirm a legal transaction. So, was the baptism of Jesus, and the Father’s adoption of Jesus as His beloved Son—was this for Jesus’ benefit only? Was this public acknowledgement, not intended to be public—because there were no stated, reliable witnesses? Ah—but there are witnesses—because, there’s you, and me! And maybe that’s why St. Mark, and the other evangelists don’t tell us about other witnesses present—because they want you, and me, to bear witness—to the fact, that Jesus left home and family, to follow His true Father’s will—to be reborn, into His Father’s household, through baptism—through a watery rebirth, so that through His second birth, it would become clear, to us, and to all who hear this account, that indeed, Jesus is Son of the Living God—that Jesus is God’s own Son, God Himself—acknowledged, as such, by the Father’s heaven-sent words—and by the anointing of the Father’s Spirit. So that now, it is for you, and me, to testify on His behalf. Now, it is for you and me, to confirm, that Jesus, born at Bethlehem, is in fact, not son of Joseph, but Son of God. Now, it is for you and me to tell the world, that Jesus is God’s Son, the Beloved!
And how do we do that? We, who don’t have a big radio program from which to give our testimony. We, who don’t own a television company to broadcast the good news to the ends of the earth. We, who sometimes don’t feel all that comfortable talking about Jesus with our friends and family, let alone, witnessing publicly, downtown, on the steps of City Hall—or at the corner of Union and Academy—or at the food court at Chapel Hills Mall. If our testimony to Jesus is to be a public act—how do you and I do that?
Well, think about it. Is coming to worship, not a public act? Is saying, out-loud, in the Apostle’s Creed, “I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son”—not a public act? Is saying to a co-worker, “No, I’m not working this Sunday—I’m going to church”—is that not a public witness, to what we believe, about Jesus Christ—Son of the Living God and Savior of the world? It’s great if you feel called to witness to Jesus Christ, standing on a table at the food court at the mall—I’ll come support you—and maybe have a sandwich! But we average Christians sometimes miss the most powerful, most simple opportunities to witness of all—because we’re thinking too big! Better for all of us to think of the small opportunities we each are given, once a week, sometimes every day—to say, whether by word, or deed—“I believe that Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of man, is my Lord, and that just as He was baptized, I have been baptized, into His death and resurrection—and because He lives, I also shall live. I shall live after death—and I shall live, fully, in the present—trying to be a witness, to Jesus. Trying to do what Jesus wants me to do—trying to say what Jesus wants me to say—trying to be the person Jesus wants me to be”—trusting, that through my life, and through my words, and through my actions—I will show to others, who He is—and that He is present, in my life—Son of the Living God, himself, baptized by water and the Spirit, to be firstborn of the dead, and firstborn of the resurrected. May God grant us, through His Spirit, the grace given to us in Baptism, to have the courage and the strength, to be His witnesses—this week—in whatever small, simple ways are given to us.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.