And Yet

A Reflection on the Gospel for Sunday, January 11th, 2026:
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

---

Matthew
​3.13-17
​
Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so for now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

​Pause. Pray. Reflect.

The “yet” isn’t there. Nevertheless, I can hear it in John the Baptist’s exclamation as he tries to push away this moment that is about to happen:

“I need to be baptized by You, and yet You come to me?” 

There’s a shift here in who is the actor, and who is the acted upon. The swap happens at the conjunction “and” that’s joined by my silent “yet”:

“I need to be baptized by You, and yet You come to me?”

I can understand John’s trying to forbid this from going forward. I can see why he feels this to be incomprehensible. Here is the One for whom he has been preparing a way. Here is the One for whom he has been calling people to come into the water to be cleaned. Here is the One whose sandals he can’t even carry. Here is the One with the winnowing fork. Here is the One who will immerse people in the fire of His love and in the Holy Spirit. And yet, He comes to John and his camel hair shirt, asking to be immersed in the Jordan. Like everyone else in line.

This moment itself is a conjunction, a place that marks the shift between being seen as a carpenter’s son and being revealed as God’s Son. As has happened before in God’s plan, the way forward is through the waters of the Jordan. And standing between Jesus and the conjunction is John. The man who was born to make a way, stands in the way. Jesus meets John’s “and yet” with His “let it be.” There is a contrast in action words here. Prevent. Consent. John moves from one to the other. This is the most amazing thing to me. Jesus stands at the crossroads waiting for John’s permission, waiting for his “yes” — just as the Holy Spirit waited for Mary’s. As God waits for mine.

I think whenever I’ve come to the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord before, I’ve thought of the wrong actor and acted upon for the verb “consented.” I would read, “Then he consented.” And I would see in my mind’s eye, “Then He consented.” As in, at this moment Jesus, even considering all He holds, allows John to baptize Him. When really, in this moment, John, even considering all that he’s missing, allows Jesus to be baptized.

O My Sweet Jesus, for all the ways that I prevent You from moving forward in my life, forgive me. Show me the next thing that I’m afraid to believe is possible. Give me the courage to take in Your “Let it be” and to release to You my consent, letting you change everything, again. Amen.


Noreen Smith​

---