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)

Luke 2:21 The Circumcision of our Lord

January 1, 2012; The Circumcision of our Lord, Numbers 6:22-27; Galatians 3:23-29; Luke 2:21; Title: Jesus First Sheds Blood for Us; Rev. Tim Beck 

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

And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. What a Christmas text! (sing) On the 8^th day of Christmas our Lord was circumcised… likewise, on the 8^th day, Christ rose. So Christians worship not on the Sabbath, but on the 8^th. day. Baptismal fonts often have 8 sides to symbolize re-creation. And what does the baby’s circumcision have to do with that, with re-creation? 

          Let’s start with His name. When circumcised, Joseph didn’t call him Joseph Jr. He broke custom, naming the baby as God’s messenger said. Jesus, meaning Savior - bleeds with the sign given Abraham, the mark of the covenant, a mark of a new creation, of re-birth and the promised re-storation. While the parents wait for the baby’s blood to congeal and his cries subside, something new is happening. Did pious Joseph and Mary know this first shedding of blood was God’s act to save, this humiliation of the Son of God - made man? This baby fulfills divine promises, promises attached to the sign of circumcision.

          What promises came with this sign?   Lot’s of people don’t have a clue, or care. Last year the city of San Francisco almost had a ballot measure to make circumcision illegal.           What was the impelling reason for the ballot? Circumcision reduces sexual pleasure, as if the sensual is all that matters. (It’s OK to neuter pets, to poke holes all over your body for jewelry, to abort a living baby… but not to cut off a piece of skin?) So why did God cut a covenant in such a difficult place? Go back to Abraham.  And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you…  As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations… Every male among you shall be circumcised. (Gen. 17:7, 9b, 10b)

          God said, “I’ve chosen you Abraham and your offspring (which by the way is male and female, except that offspring is not plural but singular - more about that later). This promise also included all nations through Abraham’s lineage. This blessing promised a remedy to the fall of Adam and all that entails. It was about being restored to God as Father. It was about the coming Saviour, the cause of restoration. And Abraham believed, and instead of signing that covenant with pen on paper he signed it on his flesh in blood, along with all males in his household… so that each time a man and wife used that sinful thing they saw God’s promise. Abraham believed, accepting a visible mark confirming the covenant. Believing Abraham submitted to a sign of ownership. Faith does that.       

          400 years later the covenant expands. Moses receives the Torah – both the commands, and the sacrifices. Come Moses, circumcision signed that God’s people agreed to obey the entire law. That was a hard guardian (See Gal. 4:4). Obedience was a stickler. It was a stickler because so many of Israel did not obey because they did not believe. That’s why they died in the wilderness. Circumcision cut off the flesh to signify entering spiritual Israel; hence it meant a life of faith, including obedience and repentance (Col 3:9, 10; 2:11-14).  But God-pleasing obedience exists only where faith receives the promise, because by the promise God forgives disobedience, evidenced in the Tabernacle sacrifices of old. That’s why later prophets said just circumcising the body did not cut off deadness of heart. The coming Savior was the only remedy for that. There you have it, on one hand, without faith in the coming Saviour the Mosaic covenant of circumcision imprisoned, by requiring obedience to the law. On the other hand, circumcision pointed forward to the Christ, promising a Jesus and all who believed were saved, like Abraham.

          When the Jesus was named, his circumcision began to fulfill the law for us, and began to atone. He began fulfilling the sign of Abraham and earlier signed promises. Adam and Eve, given the sign of the curse, waited for the deliverer. So Jesus was cursed on a tree. Later Noah, given the curse of the flood, looked to the sign of the rainbow. So Jesus poured out a cleansing flood of water and blood. Then Abraham, a contemporary with Noah’s sons, is given a sign promising “I will be your God forever!”  And Jesus is circumcised as God-with-us, Emmanuel. Then Moses is given the law including the sacrifices, by which Aaron the high priest blessed the people. And Jesus, who obeyed the law, is sacrificed for lawbreakers. Soon Jesus re-creates by shedding His holy blood, cut for the sin of Israel. As Apostle Paul explains, now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. (Gal. 3:16)

          This is what circumcision of old says about Jesus, and therefore about you. Jesus Christ fulfilled circumcision, the Son of God in our flesh.  …when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Gal. 4:4, 5) In God en-fleshed the Old Covenant became the New Testament, the Father sending His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh (Rom. 8:3) to conquer sin in our flesh. Jesus, Saviour, met every condition of the Mosaic covenant and every promise of Abraham’s covenant to name us His brothers. (Heb. 2:17) He began this work when circumcised, completing it when crucified. Now like priestly Aaron, He blesses the nations, justifying the guilty, exchanging His righteousness for our un-righteousness.

          This has nothing to do with being male or female, Jew or Greek, slave or free. It has everything to do with becoming God’s heirs and Christ’s body. Because Jesus was circumcised in our stead, no matter how unholy you feel, the Father, now “our Father” declares us sinners righteous. Jesus’ circumcision declares that God is in the flesh for us; as does His Christmas incarnation, Epiphany baptism, Good Friday crucifixion, and 8^th day resurrection. He even gave a new sign to confirm and confer this gift. Were you not baptized, and so like Abraham, justified by faith? Then as in olden days, we do not refuse the new sign of the promise, since in days of old, any who refused to be circumcised were cut off from the people of God. Nor do we neglect the sign for our children, as did Moses before the Exodus so that the Lord nearly killed him because his firstborn was not circumcised.  Nor do we who are signed reject the promise, as did the unbelieving in Israel who perished. Rather, we cherish what we received in the sign. Namely, when you were baptized, Jesus took your life and hid it in Himself. You were baptized into Christ to become children of God.

          He joined you to His death and bodily resurrection. Listen again to the name given at His circumcision: He shall be named Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. (Mt 1:21; Acts 4:12) In olden days circumcision made a people “His people,” faith receiving the promise. Now, in baptism we become His, faith receiving the Savior. In olden days, visible signs like circumcision and blood sacrifice established faith. In our day, Jesus gives the same promise of salvation with visible signs for faith. These signs not only point to God’s grace, they are means of grace.  Through these signs Christ brings us into himself, into his atoning death and eternal life. Listen to Holy Scripture: … he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour… (Titus 3:5, 6) What promise is attached to baptism?  Baptism (which corresponds to God delivering Noah in the ark) now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ… (I Pet. 3:21) What unites us with Jesus?  In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses… (Col 2:11-13, ESV)  Jesus Christ united you with Him, and hence He promises that you were raised from the dead!  You already share in Christ’s resurrection! This is true despite how you feel in your tired old body. This is true despite how many times you need repent because you’ve sinned again, like the Hebrew man who sees the promise and believes.

          Consider briefly another Old Covenant shadow completed by Christ. There is no more need to shed blood to atone for sin. All Temple sacrifices were fulfilled in Christ’s bloody death. Now there is a corresponding sign replacing the old covenant means of grace. Our Saviour is that living sign, His real presence in body and blood. In Holy Communion He unites with you spiritually and bodily, coming to you as the victorious Savior. He assures you that your sins are forgiven! Where there is sin He cleanses. Where you are weak He strengthens. Where         faith is tested He supplies hope. When you are dying he gives life. What a Christmas gift, the infant named “Saviour,” Look how He bound Himself to us for our salvation! At the circumcision of Jesus did Joseph and Mary know their actions were God’s actions to save?  Did they understand what Jesus’ first shedding of blood meant? While circumcision seemed so ordinary to Hebrew families, through the promise attached to circumcision the holy infant gave life. He now gives something that seems very ordinary… except for the promise attached to water, bread and wine… with word. There, because of the promise, the most extraordinary thing takes place. We are declared righteous with the very holiness of Jesus, and united most intimately to Him in eternal life. We enter into re-creation through our Saviour. 

          Therefore this Christmas blessing applies to you: Now unto him who is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever (Jude 24-25)  (Amen.)

Luke 2:1-20 Christmas Day

December 25, 2011; Christmas Day; Texts: Isaiah 62:10-12; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:1-20; Title: The Impossibility of it All!  Rev. Tim Beck

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, everyone to his own city.  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

                      Caesar Augustus, the world ruler who brought the Roman Peace. He was one of the finest dictators the world has ever known. Stability, commerce, and relative safety were trademarks of the empire. Naturally, he needed more money. So the world was to report and be counted. Today’s census is different. We stay in our homes and resent the door knocking intrusion. Back then, the census meant massive displacements of people. Velvet gloved Caesar claimed the wealth of nations. His glove steered the world’s most powerful army. That kind of peace has a cost, and a big head. Augustus Caesar claimed to be a god among men, and soon the Caesars demanded the worship befitting an incarnate Lord. That’s the way of pride.

          But he wasn’t the real incarnate God, the true King, the perfect peace, the peace giver of whom angels sang to shepherds, “Good will toward men and peace on earth!” King Jesus did not send soldiers into your city. Rather, his legal father, a descendent of King David, had to go to David’s city to be taxed, to Bethlehem. Joseph, of the house and lineage of David, a descendant of the rightful King of Israel, was a mere carpenter. And who was his betrothed? Mary too was of David’s lineage and 9 months pregnant. She didn’t have to go with Joseph to enroll. But everyone in Nazareth could count.  They knew Joseph wasn’t around 9 months ago. And this young woman, what a wild story she told! She was still a virgin! An angel appeared to her. Joseph would not be in Nazareth to protect her reputation. They took the hard journey together. And they believed what the angel said about the child Mary bore.

          How often did they ponder the Scriptures while making the difficult trip to Bethlehem?  But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (Micah 5:2) Joseph and Mary believed God’s messenger, although hardly grasping the impossibility of it all, God born of a virgin! But from a virgin’s womb came the cure of our despair. The wonderful counselor, Mighty God, showed up to bring light into darkness. He showed up in a stable. Only the Living God could do such an impossible thing. With God, nothing is impossible. He even became a baby. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

          Mary’s son was wrapped not in the purple gown of royalty but in the rags of the poor. Caesar had indoor plumbing, not to mention countless courtiers and slaves. As for God’s Son, how did Mary clean him up? She had no running water, only straw… because of the census, her friends and relatives were elsewhere, except Joseph. Yet that birth pointed to these promises: Thou art my beloved Son, today I have begotten thee (Psalm 2:7).  And, therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

          The invisible God made Himself visible to dwell with us as Immanuel, meaning God with us. This is how He veiled His unapproachable glory, His unknowable being. As God-made-man, He took within his whole person of God and man all our        infirmities, all our sins. Perhaps that’s why God didn’t choose a sanitary place to be born. He did chose to come(s) to the aid of Israel his servant, to remember his mercy, just as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his seed forever. (Lk 1:54-55)  Amazing grace, Caesar’s Lord, the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace arrives unannounced, except to a handful of field shepherds. How fortunate for our rebellious race that He did not come with in proud majesty with heavenly glory and judgment. His first advent did not demand we bend the knee and shout, “Hail Caesar!” Instead, our race shouted out “Hail, King of the Jews!” mocking and spitting. Perhaps that’s why He chose to be born in a fly-filled stable, bound in linen strips as if He was already in funeral clothes.  Thus God hid in human flesh.

          And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. What wonder, what hope shouted out in the middle of no where! God born of a virgin, God wrapped in diapers fulfills His word. He is a promise keeper. Angels sing of this world changing event, but not to the great ones. They sing to the least, to shepherds thought unworthy of good will. To field shepherds outside the life of the people, on them the light shined! Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee (Isaiah 60:1) Out of nowhere and to no-ones angel choirs sing of undeserved mercy. The Lord of hosts must enjoy doing the impossible and the unlikely. He reveals glory in the inglorious and to the least. Caesar Augustus is ignorant of heaven’s magnificent revelation. But the shepherds see into eternity. And they fear. They feel terror in the presence of the holy, a fear Caesar wished he could create. But unexpectedly, God’s messengers say “Fear not.” Do not fear what is impossible not to fear! Do not fear what can destroy those of doubtful, unclean eyes.  Do not fear the glory of God. Why? God’s unapproachable holiness is manifest in sacrificial humility, in love bound with linen strips before it is bound on a wooden beam.

          This too is hard to comprehend, as fullness of grace is foreign to Caesar, or to Shepherds who are known to eat their lambs. But the Lamb of God replaces fear with great joy, excessive joy, incomprehensible joy for all people. Not only does He fulfill promises that are impossible (like a virgin birthing the Divine Son). He does the incomprehensible: The God who is with us - is for us.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, among men who are the objects of His good pleasure. The Lord conquers what no Caesar can. Even now he destroyed death, conquered the devil, and cleanses our soiled hearts by lowly mercy.

          See the condescending conqueror lying in a manger. The impossible is upon us. The Living, Holy, God announces favor toward rebels. And we receive grace for the angels sang to isolated shepherds so that they might run to the coos of a baby wrapped in linen rags, their redeemer. This is how the Lord works. He does the impossible in the most unlikely ways. He declared grace, favor, mercy, forgiveness to sinners, to you. He gives you grace upon grace, doing the impossible for you and in you. Merry Christ-mass 

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