Monday prior to Epiphany 1 - The Baptism of our Lord

 

[1]

 Psalm 2:7-11, 12c; antiphon, Isaiah 42:1a—In the Introit for Sunday, we pray, Behold My servant, whom I uphold, My chosen in whom My soul delights.  The Father accepts the Son at His baptism and so the work of Jesus’ active public ministry has begun. From this Sunday through Easter we will witness those active acts the Savior did to win for you salvation. The psalmist and the prophet Isaiah rejoice for that day. We join them with our prayers and praises.

Psalm 2 – The Reign of the LORD’s anointed

Like many psalms, the theme of Psalm 2 is emphasized in the final verse. We can defy God and perish, or we can surrender to Him and be blessed. The psalm itself does not identify its author, but Acts 4:25-26 clearly attributes it to David.[2]

God Accepts You

The theme of acceptance harmonizes with baptism. At this time God accepts the repentant sinner, washes away the dirt of sin in the waters of baptism, and adopts the believer as His child, making him His Servant and delights in him. God finds those who fear Him to be acceptable to Him (Epistle Lesson Acts 10:34-43). At Jesus’ baptism, we hear God’s voice, “This is my beloved Son.” The Epistle Lesson closes by assuring those with faith that for Jesus’ sake their sins are forgiven. By faith we accept God’s acceptance of us.

The Spirit is prominent in the three lessons. Some erroneously refer to a water and a Spirit baptism as though there were two baptisms. Christian baptism is both at the same time and consequently there is, as Paul says, one baptism. The Prayer refers to Jesus’ being anointed with the Spirit. In Psalm 29 we hear God’s voice “upon the waters.” Luther’s Hymn of the Day tells the story of Jesus’ baptism.

Collect for Psalm 2: Lord God, you give the people of the world to be the inheritance of your Son; you crowned him as king of Zion, your holy city, and gave him your church as his bride. As he proclaims the way of your eternal kingdom, may we serve him faithfully, and so know the royal power of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. [3]

Collect for 02 January: God our Father, when your Son was born of the Virgin Mary, he became like us in all things but sin. May we who have been reborn in him be free from our sinful ways. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen [4]

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[1] Baptism, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-2/
[3] Collect for Psalm 2, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
[4] Ibid, Collect for 02 January