The Baptism of Our Lord, 2008
Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier
Romans 6:1-11
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
In the season of Christmas, we pondered upon Bible passages that emphasize the humanity of Jesus. He was born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus is true man. Now in the season of Epiphany, we ponder upon Bible passages that emphasize the divinity of Jesus. He was begotten of the Father from eternity. Jesus is true God. Thus in today’s Gospel text, we hear the Voice of God the Father declaring, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:17 ESV) There is no other way to please the Father. It is in Jesus that the Father is well pleased. Jesus is the final answer. As the Virgin Mary took all things that were said about Jesus and pondered them in her heart, in the same way we should also continue to ponder the Word of the Lord in our hearts.
In fact, this is the whole point of the Small Catechism. Martin Luther, the blessed Reformer, wanted us to ponder God’s Word in our hearts. Therefore, he set up the Catechism in any easy question and answer format. He never intended this to be a text book that one could master. No, it was always meant to be a devotional book. It is a prayer book which helps us ponder the Word of God in our hearts strengthening our faith throughout our lives. Luther teaches us to take the Word of God and ask the question, “What does this mean?”
So what does baptism mean for us? Is it something that we do for God? By no means. Rather, it is a miraculous thing that God does for us and to us. We look to God’s Holy Word and ponder it in our hearts. Let us ponder what St. Paul teaches us in Romans chapter six. In our baptism we were baptized into Christ (verse 3). We have died with Christ (verse 3). We have been buried with Christ (verse 4). We have been crucified with Christ (verse 6). We have been united with Christ (verse 5). We have been raised with Christ (verse 5). We have newness of life in Christ (verse 4). Therefore, in Christ we are alive to God (verse 11). In Christ, the Father is well pleased with us.
Yet, in this life, we must recognize the reality of the now and the not yet. In other words, we are declared holy in God’s sight while at the same time this holiness is slowly being made manifest to all. In this life, we still have to deal with the sin that clings to us.
How should we deal with this sin? Should we dwell and live in sin? By no means!!! We believe that we are dead to sin and alive to God (verse). Let us ponder Paul’s answer to this question about living in sin. To abide in sin, is to dwell in it. If we abide in sin, then we do not abide in Christ. If we let sin enslave us, then we are not free in Christ. If we are not in Christ, we are in sin. Outside of Christ there is no hope, no life, no forgiveness, and no salvation.
The language of in and out is very easy to understand. God gives to us images to teach us that are extremely simple. You are either in or you are out. Take the current NFL playoffs. The Packers won yesterday and the Seahawks lost. Thus the Packers are in and the Seahawks are out. The Patriots won yesterday and the Jaguars lost. Thus the Patriots are in and the Jaguars are out. It would be silly to see the Packers and Patriots acting like they are out of the playoffs. Can you imagine them packing up their bags and going back to their lives as if they had lost. You are either in or you are out. You either won or you lost. In Christ, we have won. In Christ, we are not lost. In Christ, there is salvation and the gift of the forgiveness of sins. However, outside of Christ, there is damnation and the wages of sin.
Because of our wicked hearts by nature, we get these things confused. Even as believers we forget that we dwell in Jesus through faith, and thus desire to dwell in sin through our actions. By nature we would rather be out in the dark rather than in the light. We want to be in Jesus only when it is convenient for us. We want to be in and out. We want it both ways.
In California, there is a fast food restaurant named “In and Out Burgers.” Their claim to fame is that they were the original drive-thru burger joint in California. There vision was a place where you could grab food on the run. You didn’t have to stay and eat in the diner. You could take your food and go else where. Now of course as I describe this concept to you, you’re probably thinking big deal. All fast food restaurants have a drive-thru. But it was revolutionary in its day. For you see, the meal had always been viewed as a time in which you dwell with others. It was a time of community and abiding. In those days, you would park your car and either eat in the restaurant or a car hop came brought you your food so that you could eat it in your car.
Because of our sinful hearts, we have an “in and out” view of the Christian Faith. We grab a snack on the run, gobble it down, and then get on with our lives. The Word of God ends up going in one ear and out the other. We come in the door of the church, put in an order for a happy meal, put a few dollars in the plate, and then drive off. We want it our way.
Let us beware of the “in and out” view of the Bible. Let us rather feast upon God’s Holy Word. Let us continue to ponder it in our hearts. Let us continue to grow in our understanding of God’s Word. Let us continue to ask, “What does this mean?”
For this reason, the Small Catechism asks the question, “What does such baptizing with water indicate? The answer that Luther wrote helps us to ponder on God’s Word. Luther writes, “It signifies that the old Adam in us should, by daily contrition and repentance, be drowned and die with all sins and evil lusts, and, again, a new man daily come forth and arise; who shall live before God in righteousness and purity forever.”(Triglotta) He then refers us to Romans chapter six verse four which states, “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” (ESV) We are to daily repent and live to God.
The Christian Faith is all about being in Christ. In our baptism we are placed in Christ. The language of baptism is the language of identity. It teaches who we are in Christ. We are holy, righteous, pure, and are pleasing to God because of Jesus. The language of baptism is the language of dying to sin and living to God, being crucified with Christ and being raised to life, being buried with Christ and walking in newness of life. Live out your baptism in your lives knowing that you belong to Him.
Cling to the Word of God believing what it declares to you. Ponder these words from our Epistle in your hearts, “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 6:11 ESV) Continue to ponder that in Christ you are alive to God. Fill your heart with this truth. In Christ, the Father is well pleased with you. Amen.
