By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

Welcome to God’s Forever Family!

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
Romans 6:4 English Standard Version

Our youngest grandson, Henry, was baptized last month.  It was a big event in Henry’s life and not just because there was a celebration cake!  Because on that day that Henry was baptized, he was buried with Jesus.  All of his sins were buried with Jesus.  His fear of death was buried with Jesus.  His slavery to sin was buried with Jesus.

And just as Jesus died for us, Jesus also rose for us.  So Henry’s sin was buried in Jesus, and in Jesus he was given new life.  Henry was given new life, eternal life in his baptism into Jesus.

Now you can’t see that happening.  What you see is a little boy being washed and words spoken over him.  But in that simple act of faith in Jesus, God was doing mighty things.  Henry died to sin and rose to new life.

When you see Jesus on the cross you can’t see Him taking away the sins of the world.  You see a man dying in extraordinary pain and suffering.  You see a man rejected and scorned and mocked. You hear him forgiving his enemies and committing himself to his Father.  You feel his love and peace in the midst of his death.

But this was all part of God’s plan for this world, for you and me and Henry, and for all who were baptized into Jesus’ death.  In Jesus Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, pardoning our sin for Jesus’ sake and raising us to new life in Jesus’ resurrection.  And because Jesus died upon the cross on Good Friday and rose on Easter morning, we are part of God’s forever family!  Praise God for the gift of Jesus for us all!

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado