Rescue by Rev Allister Lane
17th June 2012
Psalm 9:9-20
Mark 4:35–41
I am about to start a sermon in a way some would say a preacher should never do:
The origin of the word ‘Baptism’ comes from Greek, and the verb was most commonly used
to describe when a boat or ship sinks.
A vessel that is ‘baptised’ goes down under the water. In most normal situations, such an
occurrence is not a good thing.
And whilst the word is used functionally and accurately to describe something (or someone)
being dipped or submerged or washed with water, it invites the question how we understand
the meaning of what we do when we perform the sacrament of Baptism as the Church.
Does the Baptism we did this morning for Abigail represent a ritualistic washing? If so,
washed to be cleaned from what?
Does Baptism represent the biological waters of birth? If so, why would the birthing process
be meaningful for Baptism?
Does Baptism represent that water is necessary for ongoing life? If so, what is about the
need for very basic human survival from an adequate water supply that is represented in
Baptism?
The truth is that whilst water can represent life – water can also represent death.
So does Baptism represent the sort of disaster when a ship sinks? Does the tragedy of
death in the sinking of a ship allude to a theological truth about Baptism?
Recently the world has commemorated 100 years since the sinking of the Titanic.
And although most of us may think of the motion picture starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo
DeCaprio, the aftermath of the sinking of Titanic on 15th April 1912 was cause for deep
reflection on the plight of all humanity, our relationship with cutting-edge technology and to
what extent we are in control of our destiny.
I don’t think Nigel Pollock overstates the impact of the sinking of the Titanic when he
summarises that...
“with individuals and families from 44 countries...the Titanic was a microcosm of
wider society with divisions of class and levels of entitlement encased in a system
that held them together. This system was heading for its own collision that would
forever alter the fabric of society. The Great War was only two years away. Millions
would be sent to their deaths ... Immense social upheaval would follow. In many
ways Titanic was a portent of what was coming and stands as a warning to all who
sail in changing cultural currents.”1
The details of the sinking of the Titanic have been meticulously analysed, particularly around
the question: Could more people have been rescued?
1
TCSF Annual Review 2012
And it seems that this is a helpful question that has much greater meaning in the context of
the faith we have in Jesus Christ.
In today’s Gospel reading we hear the story of the disciples caught in a storm at sea which
they feared would take their lives: fierce wind lashed the boat and generated huge waves
which “beat into the boat, so that the boat was ... being swamped.”
This very real event operates like the parables that Jesus told – there is meaning in this story
about who God is, and who we are, that still speaks to us.
And at the risk of over-summarising this story, I would observe that Jesus acts to rescue the
disciples from the perils as they navigated the stormy sea.
The storm on the sea was big, but not too big for Jesus.
The wind and the waves recognised Jesus’ voice. They had heard it before of course – it
was the same voice that made them, in the very beginning.
Jesus is the Word of God who was present at Creation and who came to earth as the divine
agent undertaking the Great Rescue. This ‘Great Rescue’ is motivated by God’s love for us.
And so this event, where Jesus stills the storm, points to who Jesus is as the one who
comes in love to rescue the whole world from the perils that threaten us.
Baptism stands as the key symbol and celebration that Jesus rescues us.
The Great Rescue plan began with Jesus’ own Baptism in the Jordan River.
This marked the blessing of God on who Jesus is and the beginning of Jesus’ earthly
ministry.
That baptism in the River Jordan was completed in Jesus’ death and resurrection.
That is to say that Baptism, through the use of water, symbolises life, but also death.
What is put to death in baptism, what is brought to life?
Listen to the words we used in baptism of Abigail again...
“baptism plunges us into the faith of Jesus Christ,
so that whatever is his may be called ours.
By water and the Spirit we are claimed as God’s own
and set free from the power of sin and death,
we are made members of the church, the body of Christ,
and joined to Christ’s ministry of love, peace and justice.”
We are rescued from something and for something.
We are rescued from the power of sin and death – as they are put to death in us.
We are rescued for new life in Christ – as we join in the resurrection of Jesus.
Baptism has it’s end in the Resurrection; Jesus died and went into the ground, but rose up to
new life.
So this is what it means to participate in the death and resurrection of Jesus; what spells
death in us is put to death, and what is part of God’s eternal Kingdom is brought to life.
Importantly, the Great Rescue is not just rescuing us FROM death, but also recuing us FOR
life.
Jesus rescues us and involves us in the Great Rescue.
We are part of God’s Great Rescue through Jesus Christ, as we participate in the rescue of
others.
What are people threatened by?
What are the perils?
What are the stormy seas people encounter?
In a very real sense, they are the same as they have always been.
- those things that threaten to estrange us from God
- those powers that try to rob us of divine love, forgiveness, and communion.
And yet while the perils are of the same nature as they have always been, it’s easy to see
some are at greater risk than others.
Those who were rescued from the sinking of the Titanic were predominately of the higher
socio-economic classes. Only one from the 1st and 2nd class children passengers was lost
(out of 30). In 3rd class 52 of the 79 children passengers perished.
People’s attitudes have great potential to affect who is rescued.
We know the pervasive discrepancies of wealth and opportunities in New Zealand that
privilege some and deny others.
How might we be part of rescuing people if we were to think less about our rights and more
about our responsibilities?
How is God challenging us to recognise those around us who need rescuing?
There was one man who understood his part in the Great Rescue as the Titanic sank.
John Harper, a minister from Scotland, went back on deck to help women and children after
putting his six-year-old daughter and young niece in a lifeboat. As the ship was sinking he
shared the Gospel with those around who would listen.
And after John Harper ended up in the freezing Atlantic with hundreds of others, he took off
his lifejacket and gave it to another passenger, saving the young man’s life.
The man told how John swam up to him and asked: “Do you believe in Jesus?”
When he replied that he did not, John threw him his lifejacket, saying: “Well, you need this
more than I do.”
Let us praise God for rescuing us and involving us in the Great Rescue.
Let us continue to proclaim God’s love, forgiveness, and new life.
Let us continue to Baptise people.
May we have eyes to see the storms in the lives of people around us, and call out to God for
those in peril.
May we have the courage to be used by God as we join in the adventure of the Great
Rescue. AMEN.
John Harper