“This is My Son, the Beloved”

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.  And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” 

(Matthew 27:18-20)

On a typical Sunday morning in about any Lutheran church in the United States, a person could stand up in front and say, “Anyone who remembers being baptized, please raise your hand.”  In most of those churches, a few hands might be raised, but in others, there won’t be a single person who has a direct memory of the event.  Those of us baptized as infants will look at pictures and listen to the reminiscence of family members, and that’s what we know about our own baptisms.  It’s safe to say that none of us have experienced or witnessed anything so dramatic as the sight of the young man, Jesus, being immersed in the waters of the Jordan River by his cousin, John, and rising to the sound of a voice from heaven proclaiming him as God’s Son, the Beloved.

John didn’t “invent” baptism, as there were a variety of Jewish baptisms or washings before it became a Christian sacrament.  However, John was unique in that he connected baptism with repentance and it was offered to all who desired it.  The image of being washed fresh and clean, no longer covered in a layer of sin speaks eloquently to the people of this dry and dusty land.  Jesus’ request for baptism was not because he needed to be cleansed of sin, but rather a demonstration to all of his willingness to enter into our human condition with us.

Throughout Jesus’ ministry, people came to be baptized and to hear that their sins were forgiven.  The closing verses of the Gospel of Matthew, tell us of “The Great Commission” in which Jesus commands that all people are to be baptized and learn the lessons Jesus taught his disciples.  The baptized committed themselves to learning more about their new faith and sharing it with others.

Martin Luther wrote in the Small Catechism, “Baptism is not simply plain water.  Instead, it is water used according to God’s command and connected with God’s word.”  This most common of elements, and yet the most vital to sustaining life, the water becomes the means of grace because of how it is used.

From ancient times to the present day, the beauty and simplicity of the Sacrament of Baptism continues.  The water is gently poured, the words, “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” are spoken, and the cleansing gift of God’s forgiveness is given.

 

Blessed to have received this undeserved gift,

Your friend in Christ,

Mary Rogers