Former American Press staff writer Sunny Brown Farley writes "Naked Faith," a look at faith in its natural form: lived out in the day-to-day lives of ordinary people.

Worthy, no. Useful, yes.

Posted January 13, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Filed Under Faith & Religion | Leave a Comment

The baptism of the Lord is an amazing event. Jesus asks John the Baptizer to administer the sacrament and John is reluctant to do so.

John isn’t worthy to baptize Jesus, he argues.

In Mark, he says he isn’t worthy to stoop down and tie his shoes.

John has great humility. However, there is a purpose he must fulfill. Jesus’ request for baptism isn’t about the worthiness of John as a person. The act of baptizing Jesus is a necessary act. Jesus tells John that he must baptize him in order to fulfill tall righteousness.

I am reminded that it isn’t about us. It isn’t about the worthiness of those of us who order worship or preach the gospel or lead a congregation.

It is about the word. It is about the Word.

God uses us to fulfill his purposes in the world. We are not worthy, but we can certainly be useful.

Comments

• Recent Posts

  • The Baptism of Josey Gonzalez
  • Today is the best day
  • It goes so fast
  • Are we listening?
  • A look back and ahead
  • The Oil Spill
  • Ahhh, church camp
  • Not the same
  • Thy Kingdom Come
  • Brotherly Love

• Categories

  • Faith & Religion
  • General

• Other Blogs

  • At the Capitol - American Press staff
  • Cowboy Corral - By Alex Hickey
  • From the Sideline - By Carl Dubois
  • Headline News - News from the American Press
  • Knit and Wit - By Heather Narbit
  • Louisiana Passport - By Cay Sonnier Gibson
  • Moments in Motherhood - By Naomi Guidry
  • Outdoors - By Claudette Olivier
  • Photos & Video - American Press photographers
  • Politics & People - By Jim Beam
  • The Cents-ible Momma - By Brooke Rhodes
  • The Informer - By Andrew Perzo
  • They Call Me Mommy - By Kimberly Kane

• Subscribe to feed

  

• Listen by Phone

  Requires free Jott account.