{"id":5190,"date":"2020-01-22T09:03:51","date_gmt":"2020-01-22T16:03:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crossalone.us\/?p=5190"},"modified":"2020-05-31T13:45:05","modified_gmt":"2020-05-31T20:45:05","slug":"epiphany-4-the-light-shines-in-the-darkness-baptism-gods-magic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crossalone.us\/?p=5190","title":{"rendered":"Epiphany 4: \u201cThe light shines in the darkness.\u201d Baptism, God\u2019s magic."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Please click here for a pdf version of this document<\/a>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(A basic line for an Epiphany sermon on baptism.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this season of Epiphany we celebrate the coming of the\nlight: John 1:5: \u201cThe light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not\novercome it.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We set the stage last week by focusing on God hidden in\nlight inaccessible. Like Moses, we are blinded by the light of his holiness and\nalmightiness. As is written in Isaiah: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2018For my thoughts are not your thoughts, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neither are your ways my ways, say the Lord. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So are my ways higher than your ways<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And my thoughts than your thoughts.\u2019\u201d (Isa 55:8-9)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGod works in mysterious ways his wonders to perform.\u201d The\nLord is working in ways outside of anything we ask or think. The blinding light\nof his almightiness drives us away, drives us to the place where he wants to be\nknown, where his will is<\/em> revealed. <\/em>In the cross and resurrection.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There he broke through sin and death, space and time. He\nlives today. We can\u2019t see him like we can see each other. We can\u2019t see him in\nthe heavens or in nature, in dreams, or even in \u201cgood works.\u201d He is hidden; yet\nhe is living, present, and revealed where he has promised to be: In his Word\nand sacraments. In light inaccessible but accessible in his Word and\nsacraments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which brings us today to the sacrament of baptism. At the\nfont the Lord works in mysterious ways his wonders to perform. What wonders happen\nhere? As Luther writes: Baptism gives eternal life (Small Catechism <\/em>IV\/2).\nBaptism saves. It is done. The wonder of salvation given then and there.\nWithout our decision. Without our works. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that baptism is not merely a kick start, or a\nboost in the right direction. The child is not given the potential<\/strong> to be\nsaved. Nor is baptism a dedication of a child to be supplemented years later by\nthe child dedicating himself to Christ. Nor is baptism essentially a\nwelcome-wagon event in which we welcome this child into the church. It is not\nabout us and what we do. To be sure, we the congregation have a role to play in\nbaptism. But it is mostly to stand in awe of what the Lord is here doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you have a party on your birthday<\/strong>, or mark\nthe day quietly, your birthday<\/strong> is a big deal<\/strong> because it is the\nday you were born<\/strong> into this world. A day to break into song: \u201cHappy\nBirthday to you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baptism is your second birthday. Every Christian has\ntwo birthdays<\/strong>. The day we were born<\/strong> on this earth, and our baptism<\/strong>:\nThe day we are born<\/strong> again \u2013 born<\/strong> into heaven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even more a day to break into song because whereas your\nbirthday is about this world, baptism is about resurrection, eternity, the\nworld to come: \u201cFor if we have been united with him in a death like his, we\nshall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his\u201d (Romans 6:5).  The Lamb who takes away the sin of the world\n(John 1:29) is Lord of Lords and King of Kings. He is living now; he comes in\nbaptism to save the child for eternal life. \u201cHappy Birthday\u201d \u201cHappy second\nbirth-day!\u201d That\u2019s what baptism is. In baptism we are born again, this time\ninto eternal life. What song shall we sing? How about: \u201cHark the herald angels\nsing!\u201d You know the tune. The 3rd<\/sup> verse is perfect for the occasion:\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHail the heav\u2019n born Prince of Peace! Hail the sun of\nrighteousness!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Life and life<\/strong> to all he brings, Ris\u2019n with healing\nin his wings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mild he lays his glory<\/strong> by, Born that we no more\nmay die,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Born to raise each child of earth, Born<\/strong> to give us\nsecond birth<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hear the echo of John\u2019s Gospel in that hymn: \u201cLife and\nlight to all he brings.\u201d \u201cGlory.\u201d \u201cSecond birth.\u201d Perfect for Epiphany and for\nbaptism. As in the Gospel of John (1:4, 5, 9, 14): \u201cIn him was life and the\nlife was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness\nhas not overcome it\u2026.The true light that enlightens every man was coming into\nthe world\u2026 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and\ntruth; and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.\u201d As\nin the hymn: \u201cBorn to give us second birth.\u201d That\u2019s what baptism is about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baptism defeats sin, death, and the devil. It is done.\nOutside of us, in spite of us. \u201cThe Lord works in mysterious ways his wonders\nto perform.\u201d It blows your mind; how can this be? Eternal life! No more tears,\nno more crying, and death is no more. Given just like that in his Word and\nwater, here and now, at our baptismal font.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ephesians 1:13: You have been \u201csealed<\/strong> with the\npromised Holy Spirit, which is the guarantee of our inheritance<\/strong> until we\nacquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.\u201d Baptism saves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luther writes: \u201cA Christian life is nothing else than a\ndaily baptism<\/strong>, once begun and ever continued\u201d (Large Catechism<\/em>\nIV:65). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daily baptism because in this life we never escape\nbeing sinners, totally sinners. Daily we are caught in pride and despair. On\nthe one hand, we think too highly of ourselves; we forget that: \u201cAll our\nrighteous deeds are filthy rags\u201d (Isa 64:6). Even our best works are riddled\nwith sin. And sometimes the good we support turns out to be evil and visa\nversa.<\/em> On the other hand, we also fall into despair as the problems in our\nlives overwhelm us and we lose hope. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Christian life is a daily baptism. When an infant is\nbaptized, sometimes a church gives a white blanket as a reminder that in\nbaptism we are clothed in his righteousness<\/strong>. As the hymn, \u201cMy hope is\nbuilt on nothing less\u201d: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen he shall come with trumpet sound,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh, may I then in him be found,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clothed in his righteousness alone<\/strong>,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Redeemed<\/strong> to stand before the throne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Christ, the solid rock, I stand: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All other ground is sinking sand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luther writes: \u201cTherefore let everybody regard his baptism<\/strong>\nas the daily garment<\/strong> which he is to wear all the time.\u201d (LC <\/em>IV:84)\nEvery morning we put on the righteousness of Christ. Come what may in the day,\nwe are clothed in his righteousness<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this world we have problems, heartaches, roadblocks,\nloss, and suffering. Hidden in the mix of good and evil in our lives and our\nworld, the Lord works in mysterious ways, his wonders to perform. How do we\nknow? Because his will for us is revealed in our baptism. God\u2019s magic happens\nfor us in baptism.  There at the font the\nLord reaches down and saves us for eternity. That\u2019s what baptism is about:\neternity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, Luther writes: \u201cSee what a great and excellent\nthing baptism is, which snatches us from the jaws of the devil<\/strong> and makes\nus God\u2019s own, overcomes and takes away sin<\/strong> and daily strengthens us<\/strong>\nuntil we pass from this present misery to eternal glory.\u201d (LC <\/em>IV:83).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we baptize a child, we give him a white blanket<\/strong>\nbecause in baptism one is clothed in the<\/strong> righteousness of Christ\nalone<\/strong>. And, when the child grows up, grows old, and dies, at the funeral,\nwe place a while pall<\/strong> over the casket as a sign that he is clothed in\nthe<\/strong> righteousness of Christ alone.<\/strong> Baptism saves. It\u2019s God\u2019s magic.\n\u201cThe Lord works in mysterious ways his wonders to perform.\u201d Amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In this season of Epiphany we celebrate the coming of the light: John 1:5: \u201cThe light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.\u201d <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

We set the stage last week by focusing on God hidden in light inaccessible. Like Moses, we are blinded by the light of his holiness and almightiness. As is written in Isaiah: <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018For my thoughts are not your thoughts, <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5190","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-worship"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/crossalone.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5190","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/crossalone.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/crossalone.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crossalone.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crossalone.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5190"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/crossalone.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5190\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5195,"href":"https:\/\/crossalone.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5190\/revisions\/5195"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/crossalone.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5190"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crossalone.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5190"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crossalone.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5190"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}