Fields United Methodist Church

Side by Side with Jesus.                                                         Pastor Tom Joyce

December 28, 2020

“For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.”

I Corinthians 12:13

For the past several months, our world has been living through a time of pandemic that has found many of us isolated from friends, family, and even events we once took for granted. Not only have we needed to be more careful in our social interactions, we have pro-actively become more isolated.  There is a voice crying out from all the challenges of this age calling us to, “to come all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest.” The Word of God, Jesus, is alive and well even in this season offering hope, and the joy of knowing that even apart we are one; “baptized into one body.”  The church may limit worship but has not and cannot limit the Holy Spirit of God which keeps us connected not only with each other but with God. Baptism is about being welcomed by God into this thing called the “Body of Christ,” Jesus Christ. There are times when the cares and bitter crosses of the day has taken our attention away from Jesus, yet Jesus has never taken his eyes off of us, never. When we were baptized into the Body of Christ, we were adopted into the largest family in the universe; the church. Many churches may seem empty but in reality, they are full. The Holy Spirit of God cannot be contained by bricks and mortar or government decree. Those who are baptized have been eternally connected with Jesus and other baptized Christians.  Baptism is the gift that reminds us that we are not alone in this journey of life; we are one with each other and one with Jesus, and that is a big deal, the biggest. We may not all look the same, have the same experiences, or even think the same but we have one thing in common, the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that keeps us connected no matter the space and time between us. If you feel isolated and alone during this season of pandemic, know that Jesus is with you along with those who journey with you as baptized Christians; no matter who you are, you have been welcomed into the Body of Christ by your baptism. Remember your baptism and the fact that Jesus has promised to be with you “always, even to the end of the age.” You are never alone.  Thank you Jesus.

Rev. Tom Joyce