Mark 1:21-28 They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ An

So it is customary, in the lectionary that we follow, that every year on the Sunday after Epiphany we observe the Baptism of Our Lord. Every year, like clockwork, on a Sunday in early January, churches around the world read the story of Jesus’ baptism and many congregations are forced to endure yet another generic sermon about the merits and meaning of the sacrament. Be advised, my friends, that I had just such a sermon brewing in my mind for all of you this morning. But then