Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Titus 3:5 He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
THANKFUL FOR MY BAPTISM
It doesn't look like much. You've probably seen it countless times. A guy in a black robe, pouring a little water on a squirming infant, speaking a few simple words. Then, in a matter of minutes, it's all over.
No, it doesn't come at you with flashing lights or lots of pizzazz. But it's a true miracle each time it happens. Simple water, used by God's command, connected with God's Word, working a wonder of epic and everlasting proportions. We're speaking, of course, of Holy Baptism.
Maybe you remember your baptism. I don't remember mine, but that doesn't matter. With my baptism I have a divine gift from which I can take tremendous comfort every day of my life. On that day I was clothed with Christ, washed of all sin, born anew, rescued from death and the devil. My baptism tells me I am now God's child through faith in God's Son. As His child and heir I have the sure hope of eternal life. In a mysterious way I was actually buried with Christ in baptism -- my old, dead, sinful self buried forever in my Savior's tomb. Through my Baptism God gives power to drown my old self, which constantly tries to reassert its wicked ways in my life. In my Baptism God gives strength so that my new self can daily arise and live before God in righteousness and purity now forever. Simply put, when I was baptized, God took the victory and power of Christ's cross and empty tomb and made them personally mine.
God's greatest miracles don't come in showy, flamboyant ways. A humble manger bed was God's crib. A bloodied cross His altar. An empty grave His portal to life without end. Simple water and a handful of words bringing sinners into an everlasting kingdom.
How thankful I am to be baptized into God's triune name!
Miracle each time it happens As the door to heaven opens
And the Father beams, "Beloved, Heir of gifts a king would covet!"
(Worship Supplement 2000, 750:3)
