“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” (Isaiah 43:1-2).  This Sunday many of us will once again celebrate Jesus’ baptism, but what exactly are we celebrating: a particular milestone in his life or perhaps something much deeper?  I would argue the latter.   In his baptism Jesus identifies completely with us and he shows us how we can trust the words of Isaiah quoted above.  For our Lord does not ask us to walk in a way through which he has not already gone.  He passes through the waters before us; he walks through fire in order to prepare a path for us.  There will be nothing that we face in 2019 that Jesus has not already anticipated.  He will not be surprised by whatever events may unfold.  Follow him today with rejoicing because he has called you by your name.  Never doubt, you belong to him and he is going to see you on through.