A true Luther gem on the Baptism of our Lord:Who would not execrate an unthankful and joyless person who is unwilling to take to his heart the Son who stands at the Jordan and lets himself be baptized as a sinner? The one upon whom the Spirit lights in the form of a dove? and the Father's voice in closest proximity? No doubt there were also countless holy angels present. For where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit reveal themselves, all the heavenly host must also be present. This was the ultimate manifestation.
Therefore, learn to esteem this festival highly. The star given to the wise men was a manifestation, too, but this was much more wonderful. For here the three preeminent Kings - God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit - are all present as Christ was baptized. And how wondrous that this glorious manifestation occurred at Christ's baptism at the Jordan! Had God so willed, it might have been in the wilderness or in the temple. But it happened at the baptism, in order that we might esteem baptism highly and regard ourselves as nothing other than newly created, holy people by our baptism.
--Homily 3 for Epiphany, House Postils, I:220
(I'd never really thought of this until reading the Luther quote).
ReplyDeleteIt's almost like the Church Year is saying:
Behold! The Lord is revealed to lowly shepherds.
And the glory of that merciful revealing is dimmed in comparison to what comes next: for behold, magi - gentile pagan astrologers of all people - have the King revealed to them!
And if you think that is something, well, you ain't seen nothing yet. Because that glory is dimmed in comparison to what comes next: for behold, "this was much more wonderful" (Luther), when all THREE Kings revealed themselves in Baptism.
how sad that so many common Christians would rank the glory of the revelations in the reverse - assuming they don't put the wise men in the manger, and assuming they don't forget baptism altogether.