The opening piece is from “Union with Christ” – The New Finnish Interpretation of Luther.
Luther says, “And so we are filled with ‘all the fullness of God’. This phrase, which follows a Hebrew manner of speaking, means that we are filled in all the ways in which God fills a man. We are filled with God, and He pours into us all His gifts and grace and fill us with His spirit, who makes us courageous. He enlightens us with His light, His life lives in us, His beatitude makes us blessed, and His love causes love to arise in us. Put briefly, He fills us in order that everything that He is and everything He can do might be in us in all its fullness, and work powerfully.
It is no wonder that Luther thought so highly of his baptism. No power in any place and in any time could tear down the gift of life that comes as one is baptized in Christ, Jesus. It is there in the water that God makes us “courageous.” But the adventure doesn’t stop there. Luther would insist I think that everyone who is baptized takes part in the divine properties given to each person who trusts the acts of God in the water and the Word. Isn’t it odd these days that so many people have such a low view of baptism and cannot see the God’s participation in lives that are not just like ours. We are made courageous in our baptism and yet we fear the freedom of God’s reign for all who are baptized.
Connection: It is good to pause and remind ourselves of the fact that we live within the gracious Reign of God. Our baptism is a power for life that gives us a life this day.
By your grace, O God, you grant us many gifts so that we may live under the banner of your love and share with others the many gifts you offer to each of us through our baptism. Unleash in us that love and life. Amen.
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