Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Romans 6:3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
CROSS AND CATECHISM: THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM
When I think of baptism, the cross isn't usually one of the first things that I think about. It seems like the Roman Christians at the time of the Apostle Paul's letter didn't either. His question to them in the verse above clearly draws that connection. But what does this phrase mean? What connection was Paul teaching between my baptism and Jesus' death on the cross?
Jesus refers to baptism in John 3 as being "born again." We were outcast sinners, but through baptism Jesus adopted us into His family! As we study the many Scriptures about baptism we get a wonderful understanding of the "new life" we have in God's kingdom. In verse four Paul goes on to sum up, "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."
When a plant or tree drops its seeds in the fall season and "dies," those seeds come to life and produce more fruit. We see our baptisms as God connecting us to Jesus' death and resurrection, and God raising us to new life in Christ -- to bear fruit for Christ! Paul wrote similarly to the Galatian Christians, "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (3:26-27).
My baptism in Christ means that He washed me with His Word and water to forgive my sins, to pour out His Holy Spirit into my heart (Titus 3:5-7), to give me new life and spiritual growth, to "put on" me His white robe of righteousness, and to give me this unfailing joy! Even during this season of Lent, which is typically a more somber season of the church year, it is amazingly comforting to know how and why Jesus went to the cross and grave for me. My catechism reminds me of Jesus' cross even when it comes to my baptism. I have been baptized into the death and resurrection of Christ my Lord. My prayer is that Christ Jesus my Savior would continue to pour out His amazing love and joy as I hear His Word and walk with Him in this new life!
