Sermon for The Baptism of Our Lord: "I Am Baptized"

 + The Baptism of Our Lord – January 9^th, 2022 +

Series C: Isaiah 43:1-7; Romans 6:1-11; Luke 3:15-22

Beautiful Savior Lutheran

Milton, WA

 

 

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

In the Large Catechism, Martin Luther writes, “When our sins and conscience oppress us, we strengthen ourselves and take comfort and say, ‘Nevertheless, I am baptized. And if I am baptized, it is promised to me that I shall be saved and have eternal life, both in soul and body.’”

 

I am baptized.

 

Not “I have been baptized,” or “I was baptized,” though those are both true statements. I am baptized. This isn’t splitting hairs or making an ocean out of a rain drop. These are important, true, good, and beautiful words. I am baptized.

 

Yes, it’s true in the past and the future. But also the present tense. The indicative. The here and now. This is your identity as God’s children. Your reality as his people. Your treasure and hope and comfort in a world that is drowning in death and wickedness. I am baptized. 

 

The Scripture readings for the Baptism of our Lord Jesus, flow like a current, from Jesus into the font. From his baptism by fire and blood on the cross, to the baptism he gives you by water, word and the Spirit. From our Lord’s word and promise to you.

 

It all comes back to those three simple, yet saving words: I am baptized. 

 

When we think of Holy Baptism, we think of it as merely a New Testament gift. And it is. But it’s promised and foretold in the Old Testament as well. Everywhere you turn, God blesses, rescues, and washes his people with water. The Spirit hovering over the waters of creation. God’s rescue of Noah and his family from the flood in the ark. God delivering his people Israel in the exodus through the Red Sea waters. 

 

Isaiah’s promise to Israel, and to you…When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior. 

 

That sounds an awful lot like an Old Testament way of saying, “I am baptized.” Like Israel of old, in your baptism, you belong to God. And God is with you. Remember those three words: I am baptized. “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.

 

From Isaiah on down, the Scripture flows like a fire hydrant that just keeps pouring out water. There’s a steady watershed flowing from the Old Testament downstream to Jesus. To the Jordan. To Jesus’ baptism with sinners and for sinners.

When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.

You might wonder, at this point, if you haven’t before. Why is Jesus, the sinless one being baptized? John was right to ask, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”

Like everything else Jesus does – his birth, his life, his death - his baptism is for you. Jesus, the Holy One of Israel wades into the Jordan River to soak up our sinful water like a sponge. Jesus stands in our place, that in his life, death, and resurrection, we would stand before God in his place. Jesus comes to do what we cannot do, to turn us back, to return us to God the Father. Jesus steps into the water to open the flood gates of his love that will finally be revealed on the cross. 

From the Jordan where Jesus is baptized for you, Jesus makes his way to the cross where he is crucified for you. He goes through the grave and rises from the dead for you. Your baptism into Christ is the great aqueduct of God’s mercy, life, and salvation. From Jesus’ cross to you.

This is what St. Paul means when he says, “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection.”

Paul phrases his words that way, as a question, because honestly, some days we forget that we’re baptized into Christ. Some days we live as if we are not God’s baptized, beloved children; we live as if God did not matter, and as if I mattered most. Some days we’re flooded with wave after wave of despair and doubt. Somedays we’re swamped by our own guilt and shame. Some days all of our fears and failures and faithlessness washes over us like a tsunami. 

 

On those days, remember…When our sins and conscience oppress us, we strengthen ourselves and take comfort and say, ‘Nevertheless, I am baptized. The promise God the Father spoke at Jesus’ baptism is the same promise he makes to you in your baptism. You are my beloved son, my beloved daughter. With you I am well pleased.

 

So when the devil whispers his lies in your ears and waves your past sins in your face, remember those three words. I am baptized.

 

When this sinful fallen world, in all its cruelty comes crashing in on you…when you’re frustrated at work. Exhausted by your daily vocations. When you feel as though you have failed as a father, mother, or friend. When you’re bullied at school. Overwhelmed by homework. Hurt by those you love. When you get that bad news from the doctor. That phone call you dread. That nagging, lurking grief that just won’t go away. That depression and anxiety that follows you like a rain cloud. When it feels like the whole world around you has gone stark raving mad. When a tide and torrent of burdens wash over you. Nevertheless, these words are true. I am baptized.

 

When we look in the reflecting pool of God’s Law, all we see is our sinful, selfish selves, clothed in filthy, soiled rags. But when you see Jesus in the Jordan. When you see his crucified side pouring forth blood and water into the font for you. This is most certainly true. I am baptized. 

 

God the Father looks at you and he sees, not our endless sin, but his never ending love for you in Jesus. In Christ you are covered, clothed, and robed in his righteousness. 

 

Today, tomorrow, or whenever our sins and conscience oppress us, strengthen yourself and take comfort and say, ‘Nevertheless, I am baptized.

 

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.