Romans 6:1-11 The Baptism of our Lord

Jan 08, 2011; The Baptism of our Lord; Texts: Gen. 1:1-5; Ps. 29; Rm 6:1-11; Mark 1:4-11;  Title: From One Baptism to Another; Rev. Tim Beck

Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 From Advent to Ascension we order our days by following the calendar of our Lord’s life. We go from Christmas, to Epiphany, Transfiguration, Lent, Holy week, Good Friday to Easter. We who are baptized into Christ count him as the center of our calendar, because that calendar is not only year to year, but into eternity. As for eternity entering into 2012, epiphany began Friday. Epiphany means “the revealing.” For example, in His baptism Jesus is revealed as the Son of God, our Saviour. The Divine Son, one in essence with the Father, equally sharing His glory, takes on our human nature so that the sinless Jesus, Saviour, baptized in the sinner’s baptism, takes on our sorrows and griefs, and bears our guilt. In His baptism, Jesus, Saviour, lifts the burden of sin off your shoulders. He carries it to the cross and does away with it forever. Since He does this the Father audibly speaks “You are my beloved Son;  with you I am well pleased.” What an epiphany! God became man to declare us righteous, that we might be renewed in righteousness, and that one day, we enter the re-creation of perfect righteousness.  Because Jesus took on our sin in His baptism, in our baptism Jesus joins us to Himself for new life.

          Our Epistle lesson declares that our baptism joined us to Christ for new life, freeing us from the slavery of sin and the fear of death. Perhaps you recall an article some time ago about Jon Metz of New Haven, Connecticut.  He bought an old home. It needed fixing. When cleaning the ancient boiler in the basement somehow his arm got stuck, really stuck, and then began to swell. Jon was there two days and nobody heard his yells. He’d cut himself trying to pull his arm out, and long lines ran up his arm. He was badly infected. His dear arm, full of poison, was taking away his life. Desperate, Jon reached for his tools. He made a tourniquet and cut off his arm. That saved Jon’s life. That’s a bit like baptism. The Old Adam was cut off. But old Adam’s amputated arm still sends signals to do the things that poison life. The Old Adam, that ugly nature inherited from the fall, the former driver of the jalopy, the former disposition of death, wants to get behind the wheel again. But we don’t have to let him drive since Christ, the New Adam, forgave us and gave us His life. Forgiven, we are freed from condemnation. Freed, we are given life and we resist sin. That’s justification and sanctification in a nutshell. It is simple, although so difficult. We, the forgiven, daily repent the sin     that dwells in us, looking to Christ to strengthen us. But the Apostle Paul’s critics wouldn’t let it rest there. They didn’t like being saved by grace alone, saved by trusting the declaration, “pardoned!” They wanted to add some righteousness of their own, either before being forgiven or after being forgiven. So they falsely accused Paul of saying sin didn’t matter; saying the doctrine of grace means “Since I’m forgiven I can live for the devil.”

          But the one who trusts he’s forgiven, and freed from the furnace trap, won’t live like that. We who were saved by grace, how can we ignore what Jesus did for us? Forgiven, we don’t want to return to a living death; by sharing a bed outside of marriage, or by cheating a neighbor of his property, or gossiping till ears drop. Baptized into Christ, the old man’s right arm is cut off, not so that we save ourselves and definitely not so that we sin freely. Sin separates us from a holy God, but grace restores, and grace alone. Grace alone forgives and then gives the desire to receive our Lord’s gifts, including power to resist sin. Since Jesus’ baptism took our sin upon Him, we, washed in the blood of the           Lamb, are forgiven to be given His righteousness. Since our baptism united us to Christ’s death and resurrection we die to sin daily and live to God forever.

          Christ’s’ life is now in us, we who are simultaneously saints and sinners. Christ’s life dwells in us, we who are justified by faith and saved by that word of pardon alone. Yet that pardon alone does not leave you under the power of sin and death, He who united you with His death and resurrection. Forgiven the sin that separated us from God as Father, we were drowned to what formerly enslaved. Jon cut off his arm to free himself, while in baptism Christ cuts off what held you captive, what ends in death.  Unlike Jon, baptism grafts your dying body into Christ’s resurrection life, joining you to Him as branches to a vine. We who are justified, declared righteous, and named holy ones by the power of Christ’s word are given a share in His life, eternal life. We are not given His life to sin; rather, we are given life to enjoy the liberty of righteousness, fellowship with Christ and love for our neighbor. We, the baptized, live by faith in this promise: For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you. (Col 3:3-5a)  And… if then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God… Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience… And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts to which indeed you were called in one body.” (Col 3:1, 12, 15) We who were raised with Christ, who are God’s chosen ones have the peace of Christ, and are bid to put on what is already ours.

          For example, we put on the armor of God, armor he made for us. (Eph 6:10-17)  We put on His belt of truth, breastplate of His righteousness, shoes of His peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation and His sword, the word of God. We walk in these gifts, as we put one shod foot in front of the other. We walk, calling upon our Savior who promised to deliver us from evil. We walk reckoning ourselves dead to sin, because Christ’s sacrifice was reckoned sufficient for your sin, my sin. We reckon that we are alive unto God through Jesus Christ as He promised in       baptism. Jon Metz cut off a poisoned arm to save his life but Jesus Christ took within Himself all our poison and was, for a time, cut off from the Father so that through the gift of baptism, faith receives the benefits of that cutting off. Through the promises of baptism, faith is joined to Jesus Christ’s death and life. We who were buried with Christ into His death have risen with him to new life.  Whoever believes and is baptized shall be saved (Mk 16). And from I Peter 3, “Baptism… now saves you, as an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ…” (v 21). What does baptism do? It now saves you. “He saved us… by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior” (Titus 3:5a, 6a) Baptism provides regeneration and renewal.  “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38) Baptism promises forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

          It is not your doing that cuts off sin or joins you to Christ’s life. Jesus, Saviour, joined you to His victory through Holy Baptism.  You are not required to manufacture the armor that conquers the devil. He’s already done that. Yes, he calls you to battle against sin and temptation, but He already won the war. He saved you. If you feel defeated when the law says “Caught you again,” does He not declare His peace to you, and heaven shines? If you are surrounded by shouts, threats, the enemy, fear, is not your Lord mightily at work? He lifts us again and again, giving anew what He already achieved.   He gives abundantly in absolution, preaching, and the Supper. His word is a living epiphany freeing us from our mortal enemies.  Original sin was defeated. You know that’s true because you believe. And you have peace, united to Him in baptism.

          Shall you willfully, intentionally decide to continue in sin? What a silly question!  Of course not, since Jesus Christ was baptized. Shall you confess your sin? Absolutely, and be absolved absolutely. Shall you continue in life? Absolutely! You are forgiven. You belong to Him. He signed His name on you in the waters of baptism, saying “you’re mine.” In Jesus’ baptism the Father revealed that He is the Son of God, our Saviour. In His baptism, Jesus, Saviour, lifts the burden of sin off your shoulders. He carried it to the cross and did away with it forever, joining you to Him through your baptism. He carries us in the ark of baptism teaching us to walk on deck.

The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Amen)