+ Baptism of our Lord –
January 11th, 2015 +
Redeemer Lutheran, HB
Series B: Genesis 1:1-5; Romans 6:1-11; Mark 1:4-11
In the Name of the Father and of
the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Today we’re blessed to have our
preschool families with us. Preschool is a time for many things: play-time,
snacks, learning, Kleenex boxes (lots of them), more snacks, more playtime, and
more learning. One of the greatest ways we learn as children (no matter the age)
is by learning the fundamentals.
The fundamentals of counting and
language: 1-2-3s and A-B-Cs. The fundamentals of social behavior: how to stand
in line and share toys in the sandbox. But most important of all, the fundamentals
of the Christian faith: Our sin. Our Savior Jesus. Creation, Fall, Redemption.
The 10 commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, Baptism,
Absolution, and the Lord’s Supper.
Reminds me of a poster I’ve seen in
several classrooms: “Everything I need to know I learned in Preschool.”
We learn the Christian faith in a
similar way. Lutherans use the Small Catechism, a little booklet, less than 30
pages. But there’s no better summary of the Christian faith for teaching God’s
children (no matter the age) the fundamental teachings of Scripture: the 10
commandments, Apostles’ Creed, Lord’s Prayer, Baptism, Absolution, and the
Lord’s Supper. The Table of Duties.
We could make our own poster:
“Everything I need to know I learned in Catechism class.” That doesn’t mean you
stop learning and growing in the Christian faith, or that everything outside of
the Catechism is unimportant. No, there’s no graduation from the Catechism; you
don’t receive a diploma when you are confirmed. Rather in the fundamental
teachings of Scripture give we have a firm foundation upon which everything is
built.
So today, as we celebrate
Baptism: Jesus’ baptism and ours, we go back to school in way. As we celebrate
Jesus’ Baptism, we also celebrate and rejoice in our Baptism.
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What is Baptism?
Baptism is not just plain water, but it is water included in
God’s command and combined with God’s word.
Which is that word of God?
Christ our Lord in the last chapter of Matthew: “Therefore go
and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
When we wash we use soap and water.
But a minute later our hands are already dirty. It’s an imperfect, but good
reflection of our sin. Like Lady MacBeth, no matter how many times we try to
wash our sin away on our own, we cannot wash out that (damned) spot.
But when God washes us in Baptism
with water and His Word you have a sure promise. God’s Word washes your sin
away.
Peter proclaimed he same thing in
Acts 2: Peter said to them, “Repent
and be baptized every one of you in
the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the
gift of the Holy Spirit. For the
promise is for you and for your children and for all who
are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” Acts 2:38-39
Baptism forgives your sin.
Baptism gives you the Holy Spirit. Baptism is for all children of God, no
matter the age. Scripture teaches us that all are conceived and born in sin and
are under the power of the devil until Christ claims as his own.
We need a new birth, as Jesus teaches
in John 3: “Truly, truly,
I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the
kingdom of God. John 3:5
Jesus gives us the new birth we
need through Holy Baptism. In Holy Baptism you are born from above, a new birth
by water and the Holy Spirit. You are made God’s own child. Baptism is your
second birthday. (and we should celebrate it that way too, with songs and
candles and joy) where you’re born into heaven.
This is why Jesus was baptized in
the Jordan River. Though Jesus had no sin to wash away, he stands in the water
for you. St. Matthew says it’s to fulfill all righteousness. Jesus chose to
receive a sinner’s baptism to be baptized with sinners and for sinners.
Although he is sinless, he is baptized to bear our sin and carry it all the way
to the cross.
What benefits does Baptism give?
It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the
devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the word and
promises of God declare.
Which are these words and
promises of God?
Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Mark: “whoever
believes and is baptized shall be saved, but whoever does not believe will be
condemned.”
Holy Baptism gives you faith in
Jesus. Holy Baptism saves us from the condemnation which our sins rightfully
deserved. Holy Baptism, like faith, is a gift.
As parents, we want to give our
children what they need: education, food, water, shelter, and the like. We
provide for their needs as God calls us to. So, why not give them the best gift
God has given us: Baptism? For if we so lovingly care for our children, how
much more does our Heavenly Father care for each of you.
This is how Christ loves us. He
puts himself into the waters of the Jordan so that He can put himself and his
Word into the waters of your Baptism.
As I heard, oddly enough, in a recent Country
song by Carrie Underwood:
Felt love pouring down from above. Got washed
in the water, washed in the blood and now I'm changed. And now I'm stronger.
There must've been something in the water
Indeed, there is something in the water: God’s Word in 1 Peter 3, which promises: Baptism…now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:21).
The
Word of God which declares: you were
washed, you were sanctified, you
were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our
God. 1 Corinthians 6:11
The Word of God which declares that not
only is there the something of God’s Word in the water, there’s someone…
As Paul writes in Galatians 3: in
Christ Jesus you are all sons
of God, through faith. For as many of
you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians
3:26-27
How can water do such great things?
Certainly not just water, but the word of God in and with the
water does these things, along with the faith which trusts this word of God in
the water. For without God’s word the water is plain water and no baptism. But
with the word of God it is a Baptism, that is, a washing of the new birth in
the Holy Spirit, as St. Paul says in Titus, chapter three: “He saved us through
the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy spirit, whom he poured out on us
generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by
his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a
trustworthy saying.”
At every baptism, the Lord of all
is in the water to give all of Himself to you. He who made the heavens and the
earth remakes you into a new creature. He who uphold all things holds you up
like a newborn naked baby to the excited chatter of angels. He who spoke healing
to the lame, blind, deaf, and dead, heals and enlivens you in this holy
word-washing. (Chad Bird)
And having been washed, you are
Christ’s bride, the Church. Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the
washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in
splendor, without spot or
wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Ephesians
5:25-26
What does such baptizing with water indicate?
It indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily
contrition and repentance be drowned an die with all sins and evil desires, and
that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in
righteousness and purity forever.
Where is this written?
St. Paul writes in Romans, chapter six: “We were therefore
buried with Him through Baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was
raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may have new
life.”
In Holy Baptism God gives you new
life through Jesus’ death and resurrection. God’s wrath was poured out on Jesus
so that all of God’s promises are poured onto you in Baptism. Jesus exxhanges your filthy rags of sin for
a white robe of His righteousness. The blood and water from Jesus’ pierced side
is poured into Baptism to save you. And because Jesus crucified and risen is "the
someone in the water and the something of his word is present,
something else is in the water: you are.
The Spirit’s descends upon you. Heaven is opened to you. You are given
hope in one Lord, one faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all (Eph.
4:5). And He declares his blessing to you: You are my beloved sons and
daughters, with you I am well pleased.
Because when it comes to Jesus’
Baptism and yours: There truly is Something
in the water for you, Jesus’ Word. And there’s Someone in the water for you: Jesus your Savior.
This is most certainly true.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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