It wasn’t an elaborate or lengthy message. It was simply a ringing declaration that God was near and that God cared — and that is about as eloquent as anyone needed!
It was welcome news to the exiles in Babylon. Their penitential sojourn there was drawing to a close and they would soon be going home. This chapter begins the second part of Isaiah, which is called by scholars the “book of consolation.” It has inspired many and it brings to mind the chorus “Comfort ye my people” from Handel’s Messiah. The people were exhorted to proclaim the message as loudly and as many times as possible, as the need for fear was over. Nothing would stand in God’s way, for every mountain would be levelled and valley filled in. The last thing the people needed was a “blood and thunder” type of prophecy and this passage is striking in its joyful, gentle language and imagery. The prophet was exhorted to comfort the people and speak tenderly to them. God would act as a shepherd and gather the lambs in His arms, carrying them in His bosom and guiding them home.
Words definitely matter, and this was language of healing and of hope. This is needed more today than ever as we find ourselves bombarded by shrill and angry voices from every direction and as we struggle with the grim reality of violence and disintegration. One of the reasons that so many feel alienated from institutional religion is that the voice of hope and comfort is so often drowned out by voices that are condemning and controlling. People desperately want to hear Zion and Jerusalem proclaim that God is alive and in our midst and that we have nothing to fear.
Titus described Jesus the Saviour as the grace, goodness and loving kindness of God manifested in human form. The salvation that was and is offered to all is not something that we have earned or a reward for good behaviour — it is a gift of love and mercy, pure and simple. We are asked but one thing: to respond to this gracious gift with a transformed life of purity, self-control, kindness and good deeds. The Spirit of God that dwells within us through baptism will fashion us into His image so our role is to go in whatever direction it beckons us.
The air must have been electric with excitement. John was a rousing, inspiring preacher and it was clear to the people that he spoke on God’s behalf. Even Herod was both afraid of him and captivated by his preaching. Imagine their surprise when John deftly stepped away from the title of Messiah and insisted that His role was merely to warm up the crowds for the one to come. John’s baptism was only of water while the baptism of the one to come would be with the Holy Spirit and fire. In other words, John seemed pale in comparison to Jesus and that must have stoked the excitement and expectation of the crowd even more and maybe even struck a little fear in their hearts.
There were more surprises: Jesus presented Himself for baptism. This was a source of discomfort in all four of the Gospels — after all, it was a baptism of repentance and Jesus was the sinless one. But for Jesus it was a moment of affirmation and clarity. The Spirit descended on Jesus gently and in the form of a dove. The voice affirmed Him as God’s beloved son, and it was immediately after this that He was led into the desert to be tested. His ministry had begun. He knew who He was and what He had to do.
Our own baptism is affirmed by the Spirit in a similar though invisible manner. The renewal of baptismal vows helps us to recall this precious moment of God’s declaration that we have become His beloved children. Like Jesus being led to the desert, we too are prepared to face the many trials in our own lives. Meditating on this scene in an imaginative fashion can also inspire us for a life of service to others.