The opening scene of William Goldman's 1969 film “Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid” has fascinated me since I first saw it several years ago. Particularly the introduction of the Sundance Kid. Accused of cheating at cards Sundance finds himself being called out in a classic western fashion. But Butch deliberately makes one single comment, changing the fate of both men involved. Here is the dialogue:

“Butch: 'I'm sorry Sundance, I just can't help you this time.
'Gambler: 'You're the Sundance Kid???? If I draw on you you'll kill me.
'The Sundance Kid: 'There is that possibility.'”

Before he knew who he was dealing with, the gambler was ready to draw pistols against the man who had casually taken all his money; but on hearing the name “Sundance” the gambler's face blanched, and his hand fell from his revolver. He changed his mind because the Sundance Kid was known as a dangerous man, certainly not one to be trifled with. It was the revelation Sundance's identity that ironically saved the gambler from certain death. As we ponder over the significance of Advent this year, we face the struggle of passing by Christ's incarnation casually. To cast things in a bit of a different light I'm going to examine Christ's baptism, to remind us that the identity of Jesus (like the Sundance Kid) is evident, efficacious, and enigmatic.

And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17 ESV)

In Christ's baptism we are confronted with his nature as the Son of God. This event, alongside of the transfiguration, and ascent of the resurrection is one of the plainest heavenly testimonies of Christ's identity. The clouds parted, and Holy Spirit descended so we can all rest assured that this man, with his mysterious birth and dubious parentage, truly his who we suspect him to be. Moreover we can rest easy know that Jesus was no self-made savior. There is a particular Smashing Pumpkins t-shirt that I think serves as an excellent example of the evidence, and efficacy of Christ's identity. The sleeve bears a heart made out of the letters S and P, representing Billy Corgan's intent of open and vulnerable songwriting. That being said, to understand Billy Corgan, all one has to do his examine the music, and lyrics he produces. In a similar way, we can read this testimony at the Baptism of Jesus and know that the creator of the Universe has verified our hope.

Bearing that in mind, the Bible has an amazing ability to comfort, and caution us at the same time. While we can trust in the simple veracity of Christ's nature, we ought to fearfully ponder what that means for each of us. That very evidence of Jesus reflects back to the loaded imagery the gambler faced upon hearing Butch Cassidy use the name Sundance. It's an understanding that calls us to a decision. For those present seeing that dove descend spoke loudly. It's image hearkens us back to the image of a dove verifying the safety of land to Noah. Back to the t-shirt: it's front bears the word “ZERO” in bold face lettering, in math zero is an abstraction representing “nothingness”, but it's effect reflects the opposite. Zero is the only value which alters everything around it while remaining unchanged. The Godhead was displaying a similar truth with the dove in Mt. 3. For Noah, the dove with the olive branch did not represent the best of several available lands, it rather signified the provision of the only save place. There is another image that would have come to the onlooker's minds when they saw the dove rest. That of Levitical sacrifice:

also two turtledoves or two pigeons, whichever he can afford. The one shall be a sin offering and the other a burnt offering. And on the eighth day he shall bring them for his cleansing to the priest, to the entrance of the tent of meeting, before the LORD. (Leviticus 14:22-23 ESV)

This is the very source of hope for our faith. That the death, and resurrection of Jesus paid the cost of our entry into God's presence.

I think we need to put some legs on these ideas to make them a bit less abstract. Christ's identity, and it's effect served to make his time in the World quite enigmatic. Love or hate him, everybody had an opinion. The very rumor of his birth triggered nation wide infanticide in Israel, and the Gospels are stock full of stories with mobs of men and women flocking from city to city just to see him, to witness a miracle, to feel his hand laid on, to hear him teach. But in the midst of his popularity we see many anecdotes where individuals were confused, frustrated, and outraged by him. Just imagine resting all your hopes on a popular political figure only to hear him command you to eat his flesh, and drink his blood. One man that comes to my mind automatically is Bob Dylan. In the 60's Bob Dylan was the heir-apparent to the popular folk industry, but at one particular Newport Folk Festival Bob and his band graced the stage with electric instruments and played rock music. While Dylan's fans were frustrated by their inability to force him to stay the same, you and I (along with many other Christians) have been frustrated by our attempts to make Christ change. Because of our inherited, and deliberate sin we tend to see Christ's constancy as a threat against our unsteadiness. It's an understandable discomfort, but not one without hope. The baptism of Jesus, with the parting clouds, descending dove, and Heavenly declaration not only promises atonement for our sins, but also that by his sacrifice we will receive the merit of his identity for ourselves.

Matt Allhands

Tags: Incarnation