Common Theme, Lectionary for Baptism of Christ – A

The texts are Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29, Acts 10:34-43, and Matthew 3:13-17. (Check them on Textweek which is a wonderful resource.)

I like to think about common themes in these passages so that I can, if I want create a sermon or a lesson that incorporates all four texts. In this case I see a common them or the creator of all who intrudes into our lives for redemption. There is some piece of this in every one. Now that is way too broad as a theme, but it has gotten me started thinking in several directions.

Isaiah 42:1-9 – this gives us both elements, with verses 1-7 dealing with the servant, his call, and the way God’s Spirit comes upon him empowering him for a task of redemption. One sermon that would come to me from this passage would discuss just what it is that God means by justice, and how God (or God’s servant) goes about bringing it to pass. Verses 8-9 talk both about power and universality. Note also that if God is creator of all, and Lord over all, he is also interested in everyone. We can downplay our “in-group specialness.”

Psalm 29 is pretty strictly a hymn about God’s power, which can tie in with Isaiah 42:8-9 (and verse 5).

Acts 10:34-43 is the story of Peter realizing that God is concerned with more than his own people. It would make an excellent text to discuss moving from exclusive to inclusive because one recognizes that God is more inclusive than I am!

Matthew 3:13-17, of course, tells of the baptism of Jesus and the coming of the Spirit on him, to a Christian the greatest act of redemption.

I could think of several lessons one could teach from a combination of all four of those texts.