For the last few Wednesdays we have looked at Sanctification. This is the end of posting about sanctification, just taking a different approach today and going forward one Wednesdays. For the foreseeable future, Wednesday will be known as Joyous Wednesday. The blog will be about something joyous and uplifting to help us get through the week and to Sunday when once again we are forgiven our sins in the means of grace.

Today, then, the topic over which to have great joy is the gift of our Baptism. Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God's command and combined with God's Word. Baptism works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare. Baptism indicates that the Old Adam has been drowned and died with all our sins and evil desires, and it shows that we live a righteous life in daily contrition and repentance. Baptism is God's Work of saving sinful man, of delivering the gifts of the cross to fallen man. Baptism is the giving of life in the midst of death, as Romans 6 says, "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."  Baptism is an eternal gift that cleanses our body and soul to live forever. As Luther put it, "No greater jewel, therefore, can adorn our body and soul than Baptism, for through it we obtain perfect holiness and salvation, which no other kind of life and no work on earth can acquire" (Large Catechism IV.46). 

So, as you look toward Sunday, may your Baptism remind you of who you are, a beloved child of God. For in your Baptism, Jesus claimed you as His own, the mark of the beast and sin was removed, the devil kicked out of you, the mark of the cross branded on you and the Holy Spirit given to you so that you now cry out to your Father in every time of need as His beloved child. Baptism is that fantastic gift in which you are united with Christ and now the Father sees you as He sees His Son, perfect, blameless, without any spot or blemish. This is why we sing, "There is nothing worthy comparing to this lifelong comfort sure. Open eyed my grave is staring, even there I'll sleep secure. Though my flesh awaits it's raising, still my soul continues praising, I am baptized into Christ, I'm a child of paradise" (LSB 594.5).  Take heart today and may your Baptism grant you joy that can't be taken away, but that grows with each passing day.

Peace be with you. May the devil be silenced, the world be hushed, and the Old Adam be drowned anew so that you hear only the voice of your Savior Jesus who says, "Take heart, you are baptized, you are one with Me, all that is Mine is yours forever," Amen.

Jesus' Sheepdog,

Pastor Hull