Sermon for 10th January - Matthew 3:13

Some Mother's Sons

Dear Mary,

I felt it was time I got in contact with you again. I have had a long talk with my dear son John and he has shown me the error of my ways. Last time we spoke together I said some very unkind things about you and Joseph and the haste with which you were married. And I went on to talk about the way you have brought up your son. John believes I am more than a little jealous of you - your youth, your many children and the way that Jesus seems, well, just so special. Whether that is true or not, John has helped me to see how wrong I was. Please forgive me.

I must confess I am more than a little worried about my John - though I'm proud of him too. Have you seen him lately? He comes to visit only rarely now and much as I love to see him, his intensity and belief in his message can almost wear me out. How like his father he is in so many ways! But the way he dresses! Just like the descriptions of the prophets in the Holy Scriptures. You would think I never spent time making him clothers, for he wears nothing but dirty rags, he eats next to nothing and lives out of doors. He says that his all consuming zeal for the Lord means he has no interest in such things and certainly he seems fine, but what was a Mother put on earth by the good Lord for, if not to worry about her son?

And then there are the things he does! Have you heard the latest? I believe it is becoming very fashionable to go and visit him, though people also say that they have come back very impressed and some have even changed their ways. He is baptising people, dear sister. He tells me that it is symbolic. I was very surprised that he was baptising Jews, its always been restricted to converts before. But he sees it as a sign of being cleansed from old sins and so being ready for God. He sees himself very much as a ground breaker, stirring people up, calling them to faith in God and baptising them. He is certainly doing that. I understand even the King has been to see him.

And what he says is just as extra-ordinary. He has been calling people to "repent". He tells me that repentance means quite a lot of things all rolled in together, all wrapped up in the idea of preparing a new way of life. John says that repentance is knowing that sin is spoiling our lives. That sometimes we blame other things or people instead of seeing that we ourselves are the guilty ones -  that is when he took me to task about you, dear Mary. He says that repentance is confessing the sin too, forcing us to examine ourselves to see what is wrong in us, which is partly why I'm writing to you. Repentance is also about turning around - away from the old ways to live life anew. I must admit after my good long chat with John, I felt repentant - I know I can have a sharp tongue. We prayed about it and he suggested that I wrote to you. And in writing I do feel refreshed, and like I have been given a new start in the love of God.

And there's something else John told me. That what we are all getting ready for is the coming of the Messiah. He seemed to be suggesting that what you told me all those years ago was true. He was glad and excited to meet up with your Jesus at the riverside. And felt humbled to be able to baptise him. " For he is so much closer to God than I could ever dream of being, Mother" Which means, in his mother's humble opinion, that Jesus must be very close indeed.
Once more, forgive me Mary. And do write soon.
Cousin Elizabeth.


Dear Cousin Elizabeth,

How delighted I was to receive your long and interesting letter. I must admit I spent a lot of time in sorrow after our last conversation. Some of the things that you said to me were very hurtful, especially after I had confided some of my deepest secrets and thoughts to you. I was not sure if I could ever forgive you for betraying me like that. But I too have a son who enjoys taking his mother to task. He reminded me that the teachers tell us to forgive people three times. 'But that can be so hard to do Son' I replied.

He gently reminded me of all that we have each done wrong, of our need to be repentant (that word is on his lips too, Elizabeth) We need to seek God's forgiveness because we have let him down. Jesus said that God loves us so much he will forgive us and keep on forgiving us. 'And so, Mother, just forgiving three times is not enough' even if someone sins against you seven times in one day, if they are sorry then you must forgive them. So Elizabeth, I forgive you and if I spoke out of turn I am sorry and hope that you can forgive me too.

I pondered at length over what he said -  forgiveness can be so hard can't it. I decided to ask him about it again when he next came to visit me. My chance came after he had been to see your John by the river. What an effect that meeting had on him, Elizabeth. You know that I have stored up many things about Jesus in my heart, wondering, watching, waiting these 30 years, to see when he would finally begin to fulfil the destiny that I was told about all those years ago. I think his encounter with John was a real turning point. A time when he decided that from know on he would dedicate himself to God and his message of love. He came home and made ready to live a different life.

I tell you what he said ,in confidence, Elizabeth. ' I don't know where I am going Mother' he explained as he packed up a few possessions 'but I am going to do my Father's work. I was baptised you know. And I felt sure, more than ever, that he is my father. Oh I know we are not supposed to speak of God in such terms but if he loves us with such a deep love, how can he be anything else. And I feel that our relationship is especially close. That I am his son. And the moment of baptism brought it home to me. I felt him say to me 'You are my beloved son' and felt filled with his power, the Holy Spirit'.

In the midst of his preparations I found time to talk to Jesus again about how hard it can be to forgive. He told me that we can all have the help of the Holy SPirit to lead new repenting and forgiving lives. That what we need to do is have faith and trust in God. 'You make it sound so easy' I wailed. He picked up a tiny mustard seed from the ground. 'Mother, if your faith is only as big as this seed you can do amazing things through the power of God's love.'

And now e is gone on his journeying. I don't find it easy. I miss him as you miss John. And I worry about what the future might bring. But I try to live a life full of God's love. I'm trying to practice repentance and forgiveness. And each day I pick up a little mustard seed and cling on to God's love with that.

God bless you, Cousin Mary.

If only we had the opportunity to sit and talk to Jesus and John the Baptist like that! Well, we do have the Bible, our imagination and the Holy Spirit!
It is clear from the story of Jesus' baptism that two central points to his ministry are repentance and forgiveness. That we are sinful and need to repent of all that we have done wrong. That through Jesus we are forgiven people in God's love and so should take the opportunity to forgive others. That message comes loud and clear from the beginning of Jesus's ministry. It is also the message that comes from the end. Jesus is baptised, a man without sin, to show the power of love over evil and hate, to show just how much God loves us and forgives us. And in rising again he shows how far beginning a new life can go. We are set free , even from death. It is the message that is clear in the Lord's Supper. A chance for us to reflect on our l.ives, to seek forgiveness, to thank God for the body broken for us and to promise to start living anew in his way. He gives us so much. Even if we feel our faith is as small as a mustard seed.