Year A, Baptism of the Lord, 2020 – “This is My Son”
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Happy New Year! Yeah, okay, I said that on the first Sunday of Advent, but this time the calendar has turned over instead of the Lectionary year. We are back with a new installment of the show, and this week, we are working with the texts for Baptism of the Lord. Each of the Gospels has an account of this story, and this year, we are looking at Matthew’s version. The New Testament lesson from Acts includes Peter’s sermon to Cornelius and his household about the life, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Tucked into that sermon is a mention of Jesus’ baptism – maybe as a way to prepare the household for their own baptism. The Psalm is a series of vivid images of God’s power in nature, including God’s voice rolling out over the waters as Jesus heard it when he emerged from the river. And the Isaiah passage is about a servant that God calls in whom God’s spirit delights. We have some interesting ideas for each passage.
We also have some information from our show three years ago, Baptism of the Lord, Year A, 2017. We did not include the Psalm three years ago, so this year’s information is fresh! The other three passages have some intriguing ideas – we hope you’ll find something that will spark your creativity!
Matthew 3:13-17 – [01:58]
We like to find ways to use MATH smart, and for this passage, we think a Venn Diagram is a good way to consider Jesus’ relationship to the people who have come to John for baptism. Yes, that is a PEOPLE smart element. Take a look at the worksheet for an example you could show your congregation – and that is an EYE smart element! I love how these ideas cross over one another. For BODY smart, think about your own baptism and cleansing the next time you are in the shower. We have a few ideas about doves for NATURE smart, and John’s confusion about Jesus coming to him for baptism got one of us nerds thinking about Star Wars for a PEOPLE smart illustration. It works!
- MATH smart – [04:23]
- see the worksheet for a Venn diagram
- BODY smart – [06:24]
- NATURE smart – [07:58]
- Doves are cooperative birds
- Here is some more information about doves and pigeons
- Balloon animal doves like this or this
- PEOPLE smart – [11:15]
Acts 10:34-43 – [12:50]
In my poking about for commentary on this passage, I realized I was reading this text as it is used in a variety of places throughout the year. Two of the commentaries below use it for Easter, one in the middle of summer, and one in October. Go figure! Yet, this passage is perennial – it always speaks to us of God’s full intention for humanity and how it often runs counter to our own. David thinks using a number line for a MATH smart illustration will help show Peter’s thinking with his sermon. Food plays a huge role in the entire Peter story and some commentary linked below is a good way to connect BODY smart. We have some quotes for sparking conversation in PEOPLE smart, and in SELF smart, consider how God not showing partiality is as mind blowing to you as it was to Peter.
- MATH smart – [14:32]
- Does anyone remember using a number line in elementary school?
- BODY smart – [16:41]
- commentary by Jamie McCallum, The Truett Pulpit
- PEOPLE smart – [18:38]
- commentary by Alan Brehm, The Waking Dreamer
- commentary by Levi Holland, A Plain Account
- SELF smart – [21:16]
- commentary by Doug Bratt, Center for Excellence in Preaching
Psalm 29 – [23:00]
We found a MATH smart special effect for this Psalm! It is the same as the idea for Matthew! (We must really like Venn Diagrams.) We also have some thoughts for WORD smart that we did not use for the show. Take a look anyway on the worksheet! NATURE smart runs through this hymn; the power of God in the natural world is evident in storms, but how often do we see God’s gentle power in a rain shower? Speaking of large storms, in PEOPLE smart, take a page out of Mr. Roger’s book and look for the people who come by to help after a big destructive storm blows through.
- WORD smart – not used in the podcast
- Eugene Lowry, The Homiletical Plot
- The Hurricane Psalm by Silvia Purdie, Pastor at Cashmere PC in Christchurch NZ
- The Timeless Psalms by Joan Stott
- MATH smart – [23:58]
- commentary by Melissa Dow, Political Theology
- MUSIC smart – [27:13] – not on the worksheet
- you might be able to turn this psalm into a rap
- NATURE smart – [27:30]
- PEOPLE smart – [29:16]
Isaiah 42:1-9 – [30:02]
A commentary for this passage led me to consider for WORD smart literary characters who show great strength through their vulnerability. Almost instantly, Samwise Gamgee popped to mind. Can you think of any others? Through the prophet’s words to the people, God is re-focusing their perspective, widening it out to include a much larger scope of what God sees. We have some ideas how you might exhibit this for EYE smart. For BODY smart, breathe for a while and for MUSIC smart, try using the anthem listed below. Connect your NATURE smart people with the rhythm of the seasons and connect your PEOPLE smart people to one another by physical contact.
- WORD smart – [31:48]
- commentary by Juliana Claassens, Working Preacher
- EYE smart – [33:36]
- commentary by Amy Oden – Working Preacher
- purchase a Hoberman Sphere
- BODY smart – [36:33]
- MUSIC smart – [37:02]
- NATURE smart – [37:27]
- paying attention to nature’s changes is called phenology
- PEOPLE smart – [39:22]
Image copyright : mashabr from 123rf photos. Used by permission.
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