Sunday will be the fifth installment of this year’s Lenten series, “For Tough Cleaning Problems – Do Not Dilute”: Blood Stains? No Problem! This sermon will focus on our personal demonstrations of our repentance. The scripture readings offer two rituals, one Jewish and one Christian, that have been used to physically demonstrate such repentance.
Leviticus 4:27-31 provides a description of the Jewish “sin offering,” which was a sacrifice of a female goat upon the Temple altar. This is one of several types of atonement offerings that are described throughout the Torah (Jewish law).
Matthew 3:1-6, (7-10), 11-17 tells the story of the baptism of Jesus by John (the Baptist) and, evidently, the Holy Spirit. It offers a vision of baptism not by water, but by fire. Baptism by fire is probably an echo of offerings and sacrifices in Judaism, where the burning of the animal flesh (in the “sin offering” it is the fat of the goat) creates an aroma pleasing to God.
And, as a reminder, please remember that the organizational meeting and read-through of the Easter play, “The Second Day,” will occur immediately following the service this Sunday in the sanctuary. It should not take more than 20-30 minutes. If you are curious, or willing, or both, please plan to attend. It should be fun.
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