Together as a family we holidayed in Mexico. One day we ventured to the island of Cozumel and stopped along the beach. To preserve the moment we took a picture of our children. Radiating smiles. The warmth of the day was overcome by the joy in their hearts. That picture is an anchor to a great time together relishing the fullness of life up and down that stretch of beach.
And yet, now and then, whenever I look at that picture in my office – a twinge of fear falls upon me. This is the fear of imagining what could have happened. The waves were quite intense, crashing upon the shore and sharply dropping off into deep ocean blue. We were right beside our children issuing great caution. Heaven forbid they get swept out and drown in the Gulf of Mexico.
My feelings are best described as a hint of neurosis. What is neurosis? A mild form of mental illness that is often present with depression, anxiety, and obsession. My hint of neurosis arose from an anxiety of what could go wrong.
And, because of the concern of what could go wrong, we made sure things didn’t go wrong. The happiness I felt at that beach was a result of bad things NOT happening. We define happiness as the absence of worry and pain. Only when there is NO worry and pain, are we happy.
Knowing Jesus as Savior is NOT primarily about being happy. Where God is concerned for our well-being, He’s not first driven to make us happy, but to take away any fear, worry, pain, and suffering, which finds its source in how sin and death has robbed us from being content. Here, there is no hint of neurosis, but a conscience strained with the pain of wrongdoing.
We all know bad things happen and sometimes we cause it. This world (and the people within it) contends with the brokenness of sin. With whatever waves sweep against or upon us, God’s living word assures us – He’s the One to trust. The psalmist declares: “The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters (29:3).”
God’s voice commands attention. His voice acts to do His will. His voice gives life. Trust the voice of the LORD even when bad things happen. Even when we face our neurosis, our dialysis, our arthritis, our meningitis, our tonsillitis, or our whatever.
The psalm concludes with these words: “May the LORD give strength to His people! May the LORD bless His people with peace (29:11)” Our heavenly Father will give strength to His children. Our heavenly Father will bless His children with peace. And, He did this again (and ultimately so) by His voice.
Jesus steps into the Jordan River. He submits to John’s baptism. In praying heaven opens. The Holy Spirit who once hovered over the waters in creation, now descends, passes through, and into Jesus. And, the voice of the LORD, our heavenly Father, speaks over the water. “You are my beloved Son; with You I am well pleased (Luke 3:22b).”
The Father’s goodwill flows down to the incarnate Son, and through Him to those who are in Him, for your eternal well-being. The presence of the Trinity affirms that Jesus is the Son of God and that He is the one chosen to take your place by the fiery bloody baptism on the cross. Jesus condescends to John’s baptism of repentance to take His place among you.
Different waves crashed down on Jesus. It swept Him away to the deepest depths of your sin where He died for you. By taking your place, Jesus still chooses to dive into your whatever, and to whenever you feel depressed, anxious, and obsessed.
Your heavenly Father spoke again over the waters. It happened when you were baptized. The voice of the LORD spoke over those “many” waters, over those “many” fonts.
By the voice of our heavenly Father, the Holy Spirit sanctifies all waters to be a perpetual wave that washes away all sin, because our baptism connects us to Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River. By His intent – that grace infused water is always mesmerizing and soothing to the soul (Romans 6:40). You are given the peace of the Holy Spirit which flows to engulf any hint or full blown neurosis. Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus. •
— By Pastor Neil Stern
Grace Lutheran Church, Edmonton AB