John the Baptist offers comfort

The cold-blooded killings in Paris shocked the world this week. Unfortunately, such savagery is becoming only too common.

In our own capital, even before the new session of congress has begun, a veto is threatened and battle lines are being drawn, seemingly spelling the end of any cooperation. On a state level the low price for oil has Alaskans worried.

Personally, each of us face challenges for which we often do not have answers. As children of God how can we live faithfully, and how can we make a difference for good in such a troubled life?

There is an answer to those questions in the Gospel lesson that will be read at St. John this Sunday, and read in many other congregations around the world. We will hear about the ministry of John and the baptism of Jesus. If you have been baptized you have the gifts and tools to live faithfully in this troubled world.

Two short sections from Mark 1 sum up what we need to hear. In Mark 1:4 we are told:

“And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”

Listen also to verses 7 and 8:

“And this was his message: ‘After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’”

The most important gift to which these verses point is that Jesus was coming into John’s world and he has come into our lives. Life may be troubling, confusing, combative, deadly even. There are times that we don’t seem to have answers to bring the outcomes that seem right. But, Jesus has come. He came that first Christmas. He came as Messiah and Savior into the world in which John lived. And Jesus is with us today. God does not leave us alone.

One of the real gifts or tools we need to face the trials of life is found in verse 4: forgiveness. The trials of life are not always our fault, but we cannot escape responsibility. Our own selfishness and greed, our own failures to love God and others, contribute to the mess in our lives and the world around us. We are each part of the problem.

But, John preached forgiveness from God. Jesus, the son of God, lived and died to win forgiveness for a sinful world When we are baptized and when we believe God’s love in Jesus, the Lord forgives us. The world may be troubled, but we do not have to live in our sin and failure. In our troubled and confusing lives we can live and act in love and peace, because God forgives us.

There is more help from God. We may feel powerless and hopeless as we look at trials seemingly beyond our control. But we see in verse 8 that God has given his Holy Spirit to his people. In the midst of our weakness and failure, God himself guides us and strengthens us so that we can live as his children and show the love he has given us in Jesus. God gives hope through his Spirit.

We may be overwhelmed at times by life and its trials. But, God has come to forgive and save us in Jesus. God lives in us today by his Spirit. The world may be troubling and deadly, but we don’t have to wallow in life’s mess. We can live in forgiveness and in hope. We can make a difference for good as children of God.

This coming week we will have three baptisms at St. John. Baptism may seem like a simple ceremony. But, God works through this gift of grace to equip us for a life of faith in an overwhelming world. I pray that you may face your life this week with Jesus by your side, living in forgiveness and in hope that come from God.

Jonathan Rockey is pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer. Contact him at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.

Opinions expressed on the Faith page are the author’s and are not necessarily those of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, its staff or its parent company, Wick Communications Co. To submit a column or other news for the Faith page, send email to news@frontiersman.com, or call 352-2250.