Brothers and sisters, we have begun a new calendar year living under God’s grace. We have also entered into the season of Epiphany. By the gospel of Jesus, the Holy Spirit has enlightened us, bringing us out of darkness to faith, and into His marvelous Light. What wonderful assurance this is! I encourage you to make worship and Bible Study a priority in 2024.
During the service Sunday January 7, we will Commemorate Jesus’ Baptism. Baptism is a great gift that conveys God’s Gospel promises to us. We will follow the liturgy of Divine Service setting 3 beginning on page 184 of the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #409 Hail, O Source of Every Blessing; #404 Jesus, Once With Sinners Numbered; #395 O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright; #411 I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light.
Scriptures assigned for the day are Psalm 29:1-4, 10-11; Genesis 1:1-5; Romans 6:1-11; Mark 1:4-11.
Psalm 29 is a psalm of David. The imagery in the words of psalm suggests he was observing a storm of some sort, with flashes of lightning (vs 5) and rumble of thunder (vs8) and wind breaking trees (vs5). David compared such weather events to God and His mighty voice. God sits above the flood waters, reigning with power, strength, and holiness. He controls the waters. In baptism God adds His voice and the power of the gospel to simple water, making it a holy flood that washes away our sin and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. He puts His name upon us, setting us apart, giving us spiritual strength and peace. With a word, God could destroy us disobedient sinners. Instead, in His mercy and grace He speaks words that directs us to Jesus and deliver forgiveness and reconciliation to us.
Genesis 1:1-5 begins the narrative describing the creation of the universe. Only the eternal God existed, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He, the Triune God, created the heavens and the earth. The earth was at first formless and void, with darkness and water covering everything. God demonstrates the power of His voice as He created light by speaking it into existence. Light is good. God used it to separate the darkness. There was day and night, evening and morning. God would go on to speak other things into existence, His Word separating water above from water below; separating water with dry land in between; creating vegetation, birds, fish, animals and every type of plant and creature. One theologically important point is that God did these things by His Word. By a similar speaking of God’s Word, people hearts are transformed, raising those dead in sin and making them alive in Christ. It is not human logic or decision making that does such things, connecting us to Jesus, but God’s Word. A dead man cannot revive himself. Listen to the Word of God that you may live in Him. Where can one hear that Word? In the Scriptures, and in the churches where His Word is preached.
In Romans Chapter 5, St. Paul makes the argument that Law was given so that people would recognize their sin. In fact, Paul argues, the Law increases sin in us by showing how sin stains everything we think, say, and do. But Paul assures us, that as our realization of sin increases, God’s grace and forgiveness increases even more. In Jesus all our sin is forgiven. In Chapter 6:1-11, Paul follows with a rhetorical question, that is, imagine a hypothetical person hearing this Chapter 5 claim, and asking, ‘well if sin increases God’s grace, are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?’ Paul’s answer is an emphatic ‘no!’. He then describes the new identity of Christians brought about by baptism. In baptism we are joined to Jesus, joined in His death and joined in His resurrection. Our old self has been put to death. His Word attached to the water releases you from being a slave to sin. Since this is God’s truth, why would we want to go on sinning and the path that leads to eternal death? In baptism you have been joined to Jesus, and given a new and eternal life in Him. The Holy Spirit has taken up residence in you. God sees you as His child. So Paul urges us Christians to resist sin. Consider your self dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Yes, sin still clings to us; we still disobey God in many ways. But do not lose sight that you are also new in Christ. So each day, recall your baptism. Consider the benefits of baptism. Remember each day that Jesus has put the sin in you to death. Live assured that each day is a new day under God’s grace and guidance.
The gospel account of St. Mark begins with Jesus as an adult. In 1:4-11 Mark reports that John the Baptizer was at the Jordan River baptizing and proclaiming a baptism of repentance. In those days Jesus came down from Nazareth and was baptized by John. Jesus did not need repentance. He was not a sinner. But in baptismal waters Jesus was joining Himself to us so that we could then be joined to Him in baptismal waters. Jesus was demonstrating His unity with our sin condition in this broken world. As Jesus is baptized, the Spirit descends like a dove, and God the Father speaks from heaven declaring Jesus to be His Son. For those reading or hearing Mark’s gospel account there should be no doubt—this Jesus is God’s Son who has come to save us from our sin. Read His Word so that you would know what else He has to say.
COLLECT: Father in heaven, at the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River You proclaimed Him Your beloved Son, and anointed Him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized in His name faithful in their calling as Your children, and inheritors with Him of everlasting life; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
If you know someone who has not been baptized, explain to them the benefits of baptism. Please contact me if you have prayer requests, or any questions about any of the events or the Scripture readings. God be with you. Pastor Boster
