November 2, 2023

Today's Reading: Luther's Small Catechism: Baptism Part 4

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 13:1-18, Matthew 13:1-23

What does such baptizing with water indicate? It indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Baptism is supposed to make your life harder.  Actually, it’s supposed to end it.  Kill you. That’s the best thing it can offer.  Death with Jesus. Life with Him too.  But we only focus on the second part.  Usually to our detriment.  We imagine the baptized life as God’s holy children to be cleaner. Better.  Wholly devoted to Him and His service. Instead we lose a war with ourselves every day.  Because the Old Adam wasn’t drowned once.  He has to die daily.  Old Adam daily drowns.  He must be a strong swimmer. Paul might say it better than Luther. 

St. Paul writes in Romans chapter six: “We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life (Romans 6:4).”  The Lord throws the dirt on you while you still claw at the coffin.   Because He loves you.  He loves you enough to bring to nothing the things that will kill you, and unite you to the death that actually saves you: Christ’s. Old Adam’s struggles are found in trying to live by chasing things that kill. And we won’t stop, even after receiving His forgiveness, life, and salvation. So He nails us to the cross with Jesus in our Baptism.  Throws us into the tomb with Him, and keeps throwing dirt on us every time we claw our way out.  Because death with Jesus yields life with Jesus.  Daily.  

Daily you are made new. Holy. Daily you are tied to salvation.  Your last mistake, the same one you made daily for as long as you can remember and wish you could forget? That’s forgiven. Daily.  Because you’re baptized.  Remember it.  Daily. Make the sign of the cross. It doesn’t forgive you. It reminds you of the forgiveness you can’t escape in your Baptism.  Because God won’t stop pouring out mercy.  Daily.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O Christian, firmly hold this gift And give God thanks forever! It gives the power to uplift In all that you endeavor. When nothing else revives your soul, Your Baptism stands and makes you whole And then in death completes you. (LSB 596:5)

- Pastor Harrison Goodman is content executive for Higher Things.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.