On Sunday 11th. January, 2026 we read in Church the story of Jesus’ baptism (St.
Matthew 3:13-17), on the first Sunday after Epiphany. I have always found it a little
odd, that so soon after the Christmas birth story we jump forwards to Jesus’ adult
life in a little more than the Twelve Days of Christmas. Matthew’s telling of Jesus’
baptism is often seen as an announcement to everyone about who Jesus is: “This is
my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” But it is more than a public
address. Jesus’ baptism is also his own calling to remember who he is.
Just before Christmas I was back at the Church I was myself baptised in to attend
at friend’s funeral. Sitting in the back row, a man I dimly recognised spoke to me
and said, “Hello, you’re Donald’s younger brother, aren’t you?” “Yes,” I replied. I still
haven’t worked out who the man was, but he clearly remembered me, and my big
brother! Sometimes it is hard for us to remember who we are. Who am I now? Am
I who, at my core, I had hoped I would be? Am I who God wanted me to be?
A colleague in his youth, every Saturday night before he left home to go and pick up
his girlfriend, would be met by his father on the way out the door, with a steely look
in his eye. He would then always say to his son, “Child, remember who you are.” Jim
understood the notion of who you were meant something – not just about money,
education, or class but about character. What you did, how you behaved, reflected
on you and your family name. Jim had a responsibility to bear his family name with
honour.
“Remember who you are.” This is not just for our sake, but for the world around us.
In Jesus’ baptism, his identity is announced publicly if he is to begin his work. And
it is essential that he himself lays claim to his identity – that he takes up his calling
to restore the world. In this New Year amid all the uncertainties facing our world,
it is crucial that we recognise who Jesus is. The public proclamation at Jesus’
baptism and the intimate repetition with his disciples are not just for Jesus’ sake,
but ours. Because over time his followers will be required to ask ourselves who we
believe Jesus is. Like the first disciples, we will be pressed to ask ourselves who we
are and what purpose our lives have.
Who are we really? Will we hear our calling to do what we can to “fulfil all
righteousness” …”to be a light to the nations” and “bring out the prisoners from the
dungeon”? In the end, will we remember who we are?