Water, Spirit and Blood – Doug Pritchard – Feb. 12/06

WATER, SPIRIT AND BLOOD 

February 12, 2006

Doug Pritchard

John 3:1-7

Romans 6:1-4

This is only half a sermon as our Incoming Chair John Lobach is in Winnipeg this weekend and will need to do his half another day. And there is only half a congregation it seems with Leo Thiessen’s pew empty.

When I spoke to you at this time last year as incoming Board Chair, I used the image of the people of God in the desert at the edge of the Promised Land. I said that it felt like we had been through a desert in our discussions and decisions around sexuality. I asked if we were now ready for the obstacles and giants ahead in that land of milk and honey ahead, or whether we needed further testing and refining with more years in the desert.

The answer, I think, is that we have crossed over that border and have left the desert. We have already encountered, and overcome, some initial obstacles in this new land. We have been able to agree on a statement of welcome to those who would worship and join in membership with us. We have agreed on a Discussion Covenant/Guideline, and agreed on a Protocol for Conflict Resolution. We have called Maureen and Jonathan as Pastors for Youth Ministries. We have begun the transition in senior pastor leadership by granting Gary his current partial sabbatical and by beginning the discussion about his retirement in 16 months time. We have had a difficult but important role within the national Mennonite church as we engaged the British Columbia Mennonites during their season of discernment on sexuality. BC’s overwhelming vote to stay within the national church despite our differences is a testimony to our mutual commitment to listening to and working with each other within the body of Christ. 

And we have found some places of rest and stability in this new land. We have enjoyed several potlucks, retreats, showers, concerts, births, and weddings. We have mourned the passing and celebrated the lives of several participants. We have farewelled old friends and welcomed new ones. Our membership has grown a bit and finances have been stable. This is a place from which we can grow again. In the coming year we will prepare for Gary’s departure, and also the retirement of Betty and Adolfo Puricelli as the leaders of our partners in this building, the New Life Centre and the New Life Faith Community. These are major challenges. It is now 10 years since we built this building together, and it is showing a few signs of wear. I know that John Lobach, as incoming Board Chair, would like to help us look at areas for refurbishment and new life within this building.

In leaving the desert, the Israelites found not only milk and honey, but also water. They crossed over the Jordan River and found a fruitful land with well-watered hills and plains. In a dry region, the Promised Land was an oasis of plenty. And so access to this life-giving water was the fundamental change they experienced in following God’s leading into Israel. It is fitting therefore that water baptism represents the fundamental change in our lives as we follow God’s leading in our time and place. As Geisa and Nino are committing themselves to do today.

Water is an amazing substance. It’s unique physical properties make life possible and but its rarity in the universe makes our watery blue planet truly miraculous. Our own body is 60 percent water. The beauty and significance of water is celebrated wondrously in Deepa Mehta’s new film “Water” which Gary mentioned a few weeks ago. Water flowing in the river, running through the streets, falling from the sky, running down over faces and bodies, water for cooking, for bathing, for drinking.

Baptism uses water as a symbol for cleansing, for repentance, for the turning away from sin, from the devil and all his works, from the empty display and false values of the world. (Anglican Book of Common Prayer). Thus cleansed believers are incorporated into Christ’s body on earth, the church (Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective). Jesus himself requested water baptism at the beginning of his ministry as an expression of his dedication to God’s will.

In turning from sin, and proclaiming Jesus as Lord, we also receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. So the Spirit is the second part of baptism in addition to water. The Holy Spirit enables believers thereafter to walk in newness of life, to live in community with Christ and the church, and to offer Christ’s healing and forgiveness to those in need (Confession of Faith).

But Mennonites have also embraced a third aspect of baptism beyond water and spirit, that is the baptism of blood, the baptism of suffering and death. As Paul says in the Romans passage read for us earlier, “All of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death…so that just as Christ was raised from the dead…so we too might walk in newness of life” (6:3-4). Those who accept water baptism commit themselves to follow Jesus in giving their lives for others and in loving their enemies, even when it means their own suffering and death (Confession of Faith). This is much on my mind as I think of our four Christian Peacemakers missing in Iraq. They are living out their baptism of blood. But the promise is sure that, like Christ, they will walk in newness of life.

When we embark on this journey of faith, we know that the ultimate, eternal, destination is the Celestial City. But we do not know what twists and turns may come on our way there. Perhaps that is just as well. Will our pilgrim’s progress lead us through the Slough of Despond, or up the Hill of Difficulty, or into Vanity Fair? When I think of this journey, I think of Nicodemus. We don’t know much about him, but we do catch three glimpses of him in John’s Gospel. He was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin or ruling council. Early in the gospel (3:1ff) he comes to Jesus as an earnest seeker, but he seems afraid and comes by night. Jesus challenged his sense of chosenness by saying that he must be born again. “How can anyone be born after having grown old?” he asks. Nicodemus next appears as the council was plotting against Jesus. Despite the danger, he boldly challenged them saying, “Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing” (7:51). His final appearance is with Joseph of Arimethea, another member of the council, after Jesus’ death. Nicodemus brought an extraordinary 100 pounds of spices to anoint Jesus’ body (19:40). This was perilous business and he risked further enraging the ruling council by so lavishly honouring one whom they had condemned to death for blasphemy and sedition. From his first private meeting with Jesus, and then his open challenge of the council, to his embrace of Jesus in death, Nicodemus turned his back on his old life and was led by the Spirit to a new and risky life.

Geisa and Nino, I don’t know the path that you will take from your baptism here today. I had no idea when I first professed Jesus as my Lord, that it would lead to such profound changes in my own work life and my family life. This can be scary, this baptism of water, of Spirit, and
of blood. But our destination is certain, the Celestial City, and our companion is certain. Jesus will be with you every step of the way from here. Thanks be to God and blessings on you both as you commit yourselves to Christ and to his way this day.