Today’s Reading: Romans 6:1-11

Daily Lectionary:Ezekiel 18:1-4, 19-32; Romans 2:17-29

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. (Romans 6:5)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It seems pretty normal to think about your baptism in the past tense, like it’s something from which you’ve moved on. But no Christian ever moves past their baptism.  Baptism into Christ Jesus isn’t something that you move on from.  It’s not something that you grow out of, like a set of clothes you wore when you were younger.  Your baptism into Jesus is something that you grow into.  It is the very truth of eternal life, and you will live forever in your baptismal grace.  Jesus says so!  Since you are connected with Him, you will live with Him forever.  

The eternal life that you have with Jesus makes you free from sin.  Now, you are a holy saint of God, not suffering from the curses of sin or death or your sinful nature anymore.  Those problems have been answered through the baptismal waters that Jesus has washed you into.  But it wasn’t the water that did such great things, it’s the blood of Jesus shed on the cross for you that did it.  Jesus delivers His shed blood and His own death and His glorious resurrection for you in that baptism.  While it didn’t look like much other than some splashes of water from a font of water, it is there that Jesus made you His own.  That’s what makes the gift of baptism so great – it is the work of Jesus for you.  Just like His death on the cross and just like His resurrection from the dead, He did it for you and delivers you from all your sins, now and forever.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

God’s own child, I gladly say it: I am baptized into Christ! He, because I could not pay it, Gave my full redemption price. Do I need earth’s treasures many? I have one worth more than any
That brought me salvation free.  Lasting to eternity! (Lutheran Service Book 594, Stanza 1)

-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.