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Reflections
Today's Reading: The Small Catechism: Baptism
Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 19:1-24; Acts 28:1-15
How can water do such great things? (The Small Catechism: Baptism, pt. 3)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Plain water. Not mineral water, spring water, or even water from the Jordan River. We are talking about plain water—but not water alone.
Human beings have a tendency to make too much of the ceremony or the physical element in the Sacraments. In the Middle Ages, instead of eating the communion bread, people would sometimes try to sneak a piece of it into their pockets so they could have Jesus with them like a magic charm all week long! People can be very superstitious and miss the point of things.
But the big deal in Baptism is not the water, it's the Word of God! "Without God's word the water is plain water and no Baptism. Our faith is not in water but in Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, who died for our justification and rose again from the dead that we might have life in His Name. Why then put such an emphasis on Baptism? Because Jesus, our Savior, gave us Holy Baptism and through it He generously pours out the Holy Spirit. Through Baptism, He makes us children of God and heirs of the heavenly kingdom.
There may come a time when your sins accuse you and you begin to wonder, "How do I know I am a Christian?" If you look to your own life for assurance, you will be left wanting. Instead, look to Christ on the Cross and remember your Baptism. He has washed you and saved you through this washing of rebirth. You are not declared righteous before God because of your exemplary life; on the contrary, you have been justified by God's kindness and mercy toward you. By grace, He has made you an heir of heaven and given you the hope of everlasting life. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
God's own child, I gladly say it: I am baptized into Christ! He, because I could not pay it, Gave my full redemption price. Do I need earth's treasures many? I have one worth more than any That brought me salvation free Lasting to eternity!
Sin disturb my soul no longer; I am baptized into Christ! I have comfort even stronger: Jesus' cleansing sacrifice. Should a guilty conscience seize me Since my Baptism did release me In a dear forgiving flood, Sprinkling me with Jesus' blood? ("God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It" LSB 594, st.1-2)
Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero
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By Higher Things®Today's Reading: The Small Catechism: Baptism
Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 19:1-24; Acts 28:1-15
How can water do such great things? (The Small Catechism: Baptism, pt. 3)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Plain water. Not mineral water, spring water, or even water from the Jordan River. We are talking about plain water—but not water alone.
Human beings have a tendency to make too much of the ceremony or the physical element in the Sacraments. In the Middle Ages, instead of eating the communion bread, people would sometimes try to sneak a piece of it into their pockets so they could have Jesus with them like a magic charm all week long! People can be very superstitious and miss the point of things.
But the big deal in Baptism is not the water, it's the Word of God! "Without God's word the water is plain water and no Baptism. Our faith is not in water but in Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, who died for our justification and rose again from the dead that we might have life in His Name. Why then put such an emphasis on Baptism? Because Jesus, our Savior, gave us Holy Baptism and through it He generously pours out the Holy Spirit. Through Baptism, He makes us children of God and heirs of the heavenly kingdom.
There may come a time when your sins accuse you and you begin to wonder, "How do I know I am a Christian?" If you look to your own life for assurance, you will be left wanting. Instead, look to Christ on the Cross and remember your Baptism. He has washed you and saved you through this washing of rebirth. You are not declared righteous before God because of your exemplary life; on the contrary, you have been justified by God's kindness and mercy toward you. By grace, He has made you an heir of heaven and given you the hope of everlasting life. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
God's own child, I gladly say it: I am baptized into Christ! He, because I could not pay it, Gave my full redemption price. Do I need earth's treasures many? I have one worth more than any That brought me salvation free Lasting to eternity!
Sin disturb my soul no longer; I am baptized into Christ! I have comfort even stronger: Jesus' cleansing sacrifice. Should a guilty conscience seize me Since my Baptism did release me In a dear forgiving flood, Sprinkling me with Jesus' blood? ("God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It" LSB 594, st.1-2)
Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero