Every baptism is a public execution. By this ordinance, this little one is joined to the death of Christ for her. When Christ died, she died. That is what baptism means. The charge to these parents and the congregation as we walk alongside this child, is to labor together to assist her in daily dying, daily putting to death the desires of the flesh, daily reckoning that as those who are united with Christ we are crucified with Christ.
But Christ’s public execution was followed by a public resurrection & ascension. There’s life on the far side of the cross. That life is described as a Christ-filled life: it is no longer I who live, but Christ. So this baptism both symbolizes the flesh’s mortification as well as the surpassing glory of the Spirit’s power at work in this child, to cause her to walk in His ways all the days of her life.
So welcome, our sister, to Jesus Christ…
Leave a Reply