Baptism?

Yesterday I saw something I haven’t seen in quite some time–a baptism. Commanded, of course, by Christ, this is an ordinance of the church I surprisingly rarely see. Maybe it’s the dwindling numbers of new Christians in our churches. Or perhaps the lack of emphasis in our sermons. But one thing’s for sure–the sacred practice of baptism (at least within the Baptist church) is on a record low.

And yet few practices are as fundamental to the faith as this one. When Jesus began his public ministry and was immersed in the Jordan River, the father came down to the Son in the form of a dove. “This is my beloved son,” the Father announced. I think this solidified for Christ his identity. Of course, he understood that he was God-that his mission in this world was to redeem and rescue–but he also needed to hear it. He needed to feel it. Jesus was as flesh as you are and he needed to know that he was on the right track.

I believe those words “This is my beloved” followed him through the rest of his ministry. When he was in the desert dueling with the devil, those words undergirded his defense against the enemy. When he was walking on water, he must have recalled that uplifting encouragement. When he was hanging on the cross, drenched in the very hurricane of hell, he must have sucked some comfort from that statement.

When you and I come to understand that we are the precious beloved of God, it changes everything. It changes our attitudes and our confidence in the future. It alters our self image and shows us that we are valuable not because of what we do, but rather who we are (and whose we are). Baptism calls us to remember these things. To remember that we are dead to sin, but alive to Him who put death to death so we could live.

I look forward to seeing another baptism soon. Perhaps it will be yours.

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