This text invites us to listen as John the Baptist tells the people that there is one who is coming to give a greater baptism than he will ever give. Baptism, from the outset in the gospels, becomes very important and moves very quickly to the baptism of Jesus. This seems to set the importance of baptism initially, and the significance is fortified in Acts. However, as important as baptism is, we do not find any instruction for how we are to behave at a baptism, possibly every baptismal occasion tends to create its own atmosphere. It also modifies the behavior of people involved in an appropriate way.

For example, if you attend a funeral, even if it is the first funeral you have ever attended, no instruction is needed. We simply know and understand the behavioral guidelines, even the inev…