Sweet Holy Spirit (NRSV) Matt 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” One of the things I love about The Church at Rock Creek is the emphasis placed on baptism. There is seldom a Sunday when we do not have multiple baptisms. Usually, I watch on the large screen in the worship center, but last month a good friend’s grandson was baptized, and I stood there, united with family and friends, as he publicly expressed his faith and followed Jesus in baptism. As I watched the faces of those gathered that morning I thought of the song “Sweet, sweet Spirit” by Dolores Akers. I’m sure you know the hymn: There’s a sweet, sweet spirit in this place, And I know that it’s the spirit of the Lord There are sweet expressions on each face And I know they feel the presence of the Lord. While we are singing praise songs prior to the sermon, I often take a moment to look around at my fellow worshippers, and there it is— “sweet expressions on each face, and I know they feel the presence of the Lord.” When I was still active in the ministry, I began each service with prayer, and each prayer included the invitation to the Holy Spirit to come and fill us to overflowing. You see, it is only when we have the overflowing presence of the Holy Spirit ourselves that we can follow the commandment to make disciples—we may extend the invitation, but it is the Holy Spirit who does the work. May we begin each day in Bible reading and prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to send people across our paths that we can help, and may we have the confidence in our faith that is vital to living out the Christian life. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

♦ March 14, 2025 ♦ Leave a comment


Leave a comment