“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.  For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.  I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my sight, and honoured, and I love you,
I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life.” (Isaiah 43:1-4)  On the first Sunday after Epiphany we commonly focus upon the baptism of Jesus.  Recalling his baptism; his identification with us, grants us the grace to recall our own.  Remembering his promises (which he always keeps) gives us the courage to recall our own (sometimes kept, other times not so much.)  Jesus accepts John’s baptism of repentance (Luke 3) in order that we might be baptized into him.  Jesus passes through water and fire for our sake and all too often I want to pretend that his passing will keep me from difficulty.  However, that of course is not the case.  I am struck this week how the prophet does not say, “Oh, if by some chance you have a bad day, don’t worry the Lord loves you.”  No, it turns out, one of the promises is that we will pass through the water and the fire.  Not if, but when.  But thanks be to God, the promise does continue, you will not be overwhelmed, you will not be consumed.  It turns out that our own baptism is the call to follow Jesus into the flood and the fire.  And so, 2022 stands before us.  The year could very well hold flood and fire for us.  But never fear, the promise, Jesus’ promise stands strong: you and I will not be overwhelmed, we shall not be consumed.  The Lord has called you by name and you belong to him.  Have a great week and a great 2022!