Today’s Reading: Introit for the Baptism of Our Lord

Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 1:1-14, 22-28; Romans 1:1-17

I will tell of the decree:
 The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
 and the ends of the earth your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron
 and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
 be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear,
 and rejoice with trembling,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
 Blessèd are all who take refuge in him. (Psalm 2:7-11, 12c)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Reading these words probably makes you ask, “Who are these words about?”  Are these words about you?  Are you the Lord’s son?  Will the nations be your heritage and will you possess the ends of the earth?  Will you use an iron staff to break the nations like clay pots?  Will kings and rulers listen to you?  If you’ve ever thought, “If I were the king of the world, I would do this!” These words are hopeful!  But sadly, taking these words from Psalm 2 and applying them directly to yourself isn’t how we read this Scripture.  It’s not all about you.

Instead, these words are about Jesus.  He is the only begotten Son of the Father who has not come to condemn the world but to save it.  (John 3:16-17)  He has all authority in heaven and on earth, and at His name every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.  (Matthew 28:19, Philippians 2:10-11)  No king or ruler or government official has more power or authority than Jesus.  No nation can claim that Jesus doesn’t triumph over whatever they think is best.  Every nation is like a fragile clay pot, and every ruler and all people should be warned that God’s wrath is coming.  Everyone should take refuge in Jesus Christ, the all powerful one.  

This all powerful One was revealed to the Magi and submitted Himself to baptism in the Jordan river.  There, the words of Psalm 2 were echoed by the heavenly voice that declared that Jesus is God’s Son to whom all people must listen.  When you listen to the words of Jesus, that’s when the words of Psalm 2 start to apply to you.  Because you are baptized into the baptism of Jesus, you are also God’s son.  You possess the heavenly inheritance of God.  You triumph over all things. That’s not because you are just awesome, but because Jesus the all-powerful One to whom you listen has died and risen for you, and He gives you every good and perfect gift from above.  Are these words about you?  Because of Jesus’ grace for you, they are indeed! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

This the baptism that our Savior, Greatly longed to undergo; This the crimson cleansing needed So the world God’s love might know; This the mission of Messiah,  As He stepped from Jordan’s stream,He, the chosen and anointed, Son of God, sent to redeem.  (Lutheran Service Book 404, stanza 3)

-Pastor Peter W. Ill is Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Millstadt, Illinois.

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Audio Reflections Speaker: Patrick Sturdivant, Development and Marketing Executive at Higher Things.

Study Christ’s words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.