Go Forth!

A detail shot of the largest piece I've ever created - 24 x 32" - focusing on Baptism, evangelism, and the Holy Spirit. Here, a dove carries a sprig of hyssop soaked in water.

Take a moment to yourself; read and reflect upon these passages with me. The first comes from the beginning of the Matthew's Gospel - the start of His ministry on Earth; the second is Christ's last words before Ascending - the end of His ministry.

Then 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 now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he 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.”

~ Matthew 3:13-17

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

~ Matthew 28:19

It's interesting to me, and something that I've never noticed before - Christ's ministry in the Gospel of Matthew is bookended by Baptism. We open with His own Baptism by John, and conclude with His exhortation to baptize the nations.

These two moments give us a framework for understanding the mission of Christ, the mission of the Church, and the purpose of baptism.

I remember this from my freshman year theology class: In His own Baptism, Jesus humbles Himself, stepping into the waters not for His sake, but for ours. Though sinless, He enters the Jordan as a sign of His solidarity with sinners and His willingness to take upon Himself the weight of our sins.

At the close of Matthew’s Gospel, the risen Christ gives His Great Commission: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). Baptism here becomes the gateway to discipleship, the means by which others are drawn into the life of Christ and the family of God. Just as Jesus’ ministry began with His Baptism, so the ministry of His Church begins with this sacrament.

At the beginning of the Gospel, Christ's Baptism is a gift to us; at the end, it is also a calling. It is the moment we are claimed as beloved children of God, marked by the Holy Spirit, and united with Christ. But it is also the beginning of our mission—we enter into Christ's threefold role as priest, prophet, and king. Through our Baptism, we are called to offer our lives as sacrifice (priest), spread God's message to all nations (prophet), and to serve others and establish God's kingdom of peace, love and truth (king).

This weekend, as we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, I invite you to join me in reflection not only on the Lord's Baptism, but on your own; your Baptismal promises, and Christ's Great Commission to "Go forth, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

I was blessed to create a set of mirrored wedding vows for a dear fan/internet-friend in 2023, and am similarly blessed to be in the midst of creating a Baptismal certificate for their new daughter.

Handmade Sacrament certificates have quickly become my most common work - and that is such a treasure for me. The Sacraments are visible signs of God's invisible gifts of Grace, and I'm honored to create beautiful things to commemorate those Sacraments.

If you are interested in your own certificate - whether it be for Baptism, Confirmation, Matrimony, or Ordination - please take a look or send me a message using the links below. God bless.

- Cole