29 September 2005

This month at Redeemer we will be looking at our call to be stewards of life. We will begin with a look at our baptism through the eyes of Martin Luther.

From "The Babylonian Captivity of the Church, 1520, in volume 36 of Luther's Works.
Blessed be the God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to the riches of his mercy (Ephesians 1:3, 7) has preserved in (his) church this sacrament at least, untouched and untainted by the ordinances of (men), and has made it free to all nations and classes of (mankind), and has not permitted it to be oppressed by the filthy and godless monsters of greed and superstition. For (he) has desired that by it little children, who were incapable of greed and superstition, might be initiated and sanctified in the simple faith of (his) Word: even today baptism has its chief blessing for them. (p.57)

We cannot do damage baptism. It is a gift that flows from the “riches of God’s mercy” and if we ever think that any power can subdue that mercy, we better think again. But we are called to remember that this gift is one set out for all people. There is to be no dividing line that will tell us who is to take part and who is not. The whole world and the world of every age and place are to find a resting place that is not ruled by the powers of our world. Therefore, there is that wonderful action of infant baptism that shows to the community and to the child – through story telling – that the ways of this world that seem to rule and get along just fine…are not a part of the story of God’s people who have been plunged into death and pull out in order to be a part of the new age in Christ, Jesus. Even today we live within a religious milieu in which pagan and superstitious notions of God attempt to be labeled as followers of Jesus and yet, the simple gift of baptism is something that is controlled. When that takes place, even those who are baptized are held in questions until they can somehow prove that they are indeed one of the “saved” ones. In today’s religious climate and mind set, we must all the more cling to the promise that is our baptism and turn our backs to those who would try to make it a part of a system in which we must pay to play in the Reign of God…which is therefore not really the Reign of God.

Connection: At the beginning of this day it is good to begin with such words as: “Blessed be God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to God’s mercy has preserved in God’s church this sacrament…untouched by th4e ordinances of humans.” For to begin in such a way is to clarify who rules among us and such clarity may interrupt our day that sometimes seems to know no reason for existence within the wonder of God’s creation.

By you love and grace, O God, you reach in again and again and guide us into the fullness of your blessed Reign. For you work and your faithfulness we can only respond in words of praise and with lives ready to be moved by your Holy Spirit. Amen.