Hi everyone, as we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord, we are called to remember our own baptism.  As God’s children, we are empowered by the Spirit to bring light to a dark world. 

Pastor Tim
“God has led you to the desert, and spoken to your Heart.”

Mount of Olives Lutheran Church

3546 E. Thomas Rd

Phoenix, AZ 85018

602-956-1620 office

The Beloved Way: Seeking God’s Purpose Above All Else

In Matthew’s Gospel, as Jesus emerges from the waters of the Jordan, the heavens open and a voice declares: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We often view righteousness as a legal status—a list of rules followed or a debt paid. But the Baptism of the Lord reveals a different truth: Righteousness is a relationship. It is a committed, loving, and merciful union with the Father that seeks His purpose above all else. As we enter this weekend with Christ, we look at how Isaiah’s prophecy, Peter’s testimony, and Jesus’ baptism invite us into this same “Beloved” way of living.

The Character of Righteousness (Isaiah 42:1-9) Isaiah introduces us to the “Servant of the Lord.” This isn’t a figure of worldly power, but of gentle, persistent mercy.

• Gentle Strength: He does not cry out or shout; he does not break a “bruised reed.” Righteousness with God doesn’t mean being “right” by crushing others; it means being “right” by upholding the vulnerable.
• The Covenant of Light: The Servant is called to be a “covenant for the people.” His purpose isn’t personal gain—it is to open eyes that are blind.
• The Lesson for Us: To be righteous is to align our hearts with God’s mercy. When we prioritize God’s purpose, our lives stop being about our own defense and start being about His restoration of the world.

The Inclusivity of Righteousness (Acts 10:34-43)  In Acts, Peter has a breakthrough that changes the Church forever: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism.”

• Breaking Barriers: Peter realizes that righteousness isn’t about tribal belonging or religious heritage. It is about “fearing Him and doing what is right.”
• A Relationship for All: Peter’s sermon emphasizes that Jesus went about “doing good and healing all.” This is the “purpose” Jesus sought—to bring the mercy of God to every corner of the human experience.
• The Lesson for Us: A committed relationship with God requires us to drop our prejudices. If we seek God’s purpose above all else, we must love whom He loves—which is everyone.

The Submission of Righteousness (Matthew 3:13-17)  The most striking moment in the Jordan is Jesus’ insistence on being baptized. John the Baptist is confused—why would the sinless Son of God need a baptism of repentance?

• “To Fulfill All Righteousness”: Jesus answers that it is proper “to fulfill all righteousness.” In this context, righteousness means total submission to the Father’s will. * The Descent into Solidarity: By entering the water, Jesus identifies with us. He isn’t standing on a pedestal; He is in the mud of the river with the seekers and the sinners.
• The Reward of Purpose: It is only after Jesus commits to this humble path of service that the Spirit descends. The Father’s “pleasure” isn’t earned by Jesus’ perfection, but by His radical commitment to the Father’s saving purpose.

What does it mean for us today to seek “righteousness with God through a committed, loving, and merciful relationship”?

1. Stop Trying to Earn, Start Trying to Listen: Righteousness began for Jesus with a declaration of love from the Father. Start your day knowing you are “the Beloved.”
2. Seek Purpose Over Comfort: Jesus’ righteousness led him to the cross; the Servant’s righteousness led him to the bruised reed. Ask God: “What is Your purpose for this situation?” rather than “How can I be comfortable here?”
3. Practice Mercy: If God’s righteousness is merciful, ours must be too. A committed relationship with God is visible in how we treat those who can do nothing for us.

When we seek God’s purpose above all else, the heavens open for us, too. We find that we are not just servants, but sons and daughters, empowered by the Spirit to bring light to a dark world.