Day 5: Living Baptized

Readings for January 5: Isaiah 65:8-25, Psalm 37:34-40, Luke 3:1-20

And so we are back to where we began.  Living baptized.  Our baptisms seems to be one made with water, but it is so much more than that.  “It is the water included in God’s command and combined with God’s word.”  And so, to live a life baptized is to live a life fully immersed in God’s Word.  It is to live a life obedient to God, immersed in prayer and worship.  And so, as we finish out one week and start a new one, think on these words from Tertullian: 

“How mighty is the grace of water, in the sight of God and His Christ, for the confirmation of Baptism! Never is Christ without water: He  who is Himself baptized in water (Matthew 3:13-17); inaugurates in water the first display of His power, when invited to the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11); in His preaching He invites the thirsty to His own eternal water (John 7:37-38); He approves, among the works of charity, the cup of water offered to a poor child (Matthew 10:42); He gathered His strength at a well (John 4:6); walks over the water (Matthew 14:25); calms the waves (Mark 4:39); and serves His disciples with washing by water (John 13:5).  Even His Passion bears witness to the power of Baptism’s waters, for while He was being handed over to the cross, water intervened and was a witness against Pilate’s hands (Matthew 27:24).  And when He is wounded, after His death, water bursts forth from His side that had been pierced with the soldier’s lance (John 19:34)!”

And so my prayer to start this week is this:

Dear Heavenly Father, Whose mercies for us are never ending, and each day calls us to be Your child, guide us this week.  Let us live each day fully immersed in You.  Help us to become closer to You and provide us the strength needed to make it through.  Lord, help us to remember that we are baptized, not only by water, but by Your Holy Spirit, and use that knowledge to keep us on the path of righteousness for Your names sake.  This we pray, through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.  Amen.