The Preacher's Lectionary Notebook - Thematic Connections
The First Sunday after the Epiphany: The Baptism of the Lord (Year A)
Isaiah 42:1-9; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17
The Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord themes are woven together in Isaiah 42:1-9 and Acts 10:34-43, as well as in Matthew 3:13-17. Epiphany, at its core, is about the light of God reaching the world in a visible, transformative manner, a revelation that reveals the hidden glory of God to everyone. In Isaiah 42, the Servant of the Lord is introduced as one chosen and upheld by God, and thus, in bringing justice to all the nations instead of just a select few. It was his spirit that rested upon this servant, who could bring hope, light and renewal. This is not just a private mission; this is public revelation that God’s purpose is not limited to Israel but extends to the ends of the earth. The Servant’s work predicts Christ’s coming to Epiphany where, when the magi visit, he is to be found revealing the realization of God’s salvation beyond normal limits, such as in Isaiah’s vision of light shining out and destroying darkness for all the world.
Acts 10:34-43 reflects this universal element of God’s plan. Peter’s address to Cornelius and his household reinforces the idea that God shows no partiality; salvation through Jesus Christ will be at all levels for everyone. This text aligns with Epiphany's notion of revelation as the light of God not limited to individuals or a nation of people. Peter describes Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection, describing them as the supreme demonstration of God’s love and purpose—a divine invitation to the world to glimpse, believe, and react. The inclusion of Gentiles in the story of salvation mirrors the magi’s recognition of the infant Jesus and affirms that Epiphany celebrates God’s self-revelation to all, breaking cultural and religious barriers in the process.
Matthew 3:13-17 brings the narrative into the personal and relational dimension of God’s revelation through the Baptism of the Lord. Here, Jesus steps into the waters of the Jordan, not out of necessity but to identify with humanity and inaugurate his public ministry. The heavens open, and the Spirit descends like a dove, while the voice of God declares, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” This moment is deeply Epiphanic: it reveals Jesus’ divine identity, confirms God’s pleasure in him, and models the Spirit-filled life to which all are invited. The baptism links Isaiah’s prophetic vision of a Spirit-filled servant with Peter’s proclamation in Acts, joining the prophetic, the historical, and the personal in relation to the divine revelation of God.
These passages collectively tell a story of God’s light revealed, of salvation’s universality for everyone and the opening up of the mission initiated by the Spirit. The Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord invite believers to bear witness, recognize, and participate in this unfolding revelation, embracing the justice, mercy, and hope embodied in Jesus for all nations. They remind us that God’s glory is not hidden but breaking in, calling every person into relationship, renewal, and a life shaped by divine purpose.
FOR FURTHER EXPLORATION
How do the themes of light, revelation, and inclusion in these passages inform our understanding of Epiphany as more than a celebration of the Magi, but as a declaration of God’s saving work for all people?
How does the descent of the Spirit at Jesus’ baptism in Matthew link to Isaiah’s description of the Spirit upon the Servant, and what does this suggest about the continuity between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment?
In what ways do these passages together invite believers to recognize God’s presence and action in unexpected places and among unexpected people, and how does this shape the practical meaning of Epiphany and Baptism of the Lord today?