Baptism: Special Delivery - Monday Morning Devotions - Week 3
Join Pastor Ricky Jacob as he discusses baptism in this 7-week devotion series.
Need to start at the beginning? Read Week 1 here
Dr. Martin Luther explained Jesus' command to baptize this way:
Just listen to Jesus' words: "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” [Matthew 28:19] "Whoever believes and is baptized is saved," etc. [Mark 16:16]. These words are not the words that speak over the Baptism, but the words of command which institute Baptism. For it is not the priest or minister but He who makes Baptism who says, "Go and baptize," that is, "Here you have My command and order. This is My will and bidding; that you baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. If anyone receives the Word, and water together, it is a Baptism; if anyone believes in addition, he will be saved thereby." Here there is something beyond the two parts of Word and water; otherwise it would be far from sufficient to dip in water and speak the words "I baptize you," etc. - even if faith were present - without having a clear, certain command to do so. [AE 57:150]
Holy Baptism Gives and Takes Away - Philip Rigdon
Restaurants with public restrooms feature signs indicating "EMPLOYEES MUST WASH HANDS BEFORE RETURNING TO WORK." Such a sign has dual purposes: to remind staff to wash and to assure patrons that this business takes cleanliness seriously. Sadly, many Christians display indifference concerning Holy Baptism. Holy Baptism is so vital that our Lord commands it. Holy Baptism is concerned not with preventing the common cold or warding off food-borne illness, but rather with salvation, everlasting life, heaven, and hell. Yet, like the careless youth who is too busy to wash before returning to work, we care little for Jesus' injunction to take this saving Sacrament to the world.
Holy Baptism removes our sins, past, present, and future. God doesn't stop there. In this Sacrament, God creates saving faith, grants everlasting life, and gives us His Holy Spirit. He makes us His child forever. Our own Baptism connects us to Jesus' Baptism in the Jordan (River), to His sinless life and innocent suffering. God commands His Church to baptize so that sinners would be saved through Jesus' efforts.
We pray: Dear Lord, in our selfishness, we would have the benefits of Your Baptism and yet neglect to bring these gifts to others. Change our hearts that we would love others as You do. Make us ever mindful that this gift of Holy Baptism brings to us the fruits of Your loving labor in Christ. In Your name, we pray. Amen.