A Violent Baptism?
Theme: Baptism (Matthew 3:13-17)
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
How does the church view baptism? Yes, how does the church look
upon baptisms?
Regardless of which church denomination one finds himself in, I
think it is safe to say that pretty much every Christian church in the world is
favorable towards a person being baptized.
For the sake of time, we cannot go into all the different
theological positions of the various denominations and why they do different
things with Baptism, and we simply do not have the time to do that in a sermon.
Furthermore, covering a topic like that would be better suited for a Sunday
Morning Bible Study. Nonetheless, even though the majority of Christian
churches have a favorable view towards Baptism, I do still believe that
Christians still have a skewed view toward Baptism. For example, let us
consider how you and I view baptisms here at St. Paul’s.
I know for myself when I look at a bulletin and see the word
“Baptism,” it conjures up a warm and happy feeling. When I look out at you in
the pew, I suspect there are also warm feelings of happiness. Furthermore,
baptisms typically have a nostalgic feeling to them as well. It is a rite in
the Christian church that brings us back to the past. We see a baptism, and it
may remind us of baptisms that happened long ago.
Now, if St. Paul’s were to be one of those contemporary churches
with a big band, special lights, and a big stage with a pool on it, baptisms
would not have a nostalgic and warm feeling. Still, instead, baptisms would be
viewed with feelings of victory, commitment, dedication, and will-power. In
fact, it is quite common in these contemporary churches to see someone dunked
under the water for baptism and then to come out of the water with their hands
raised and cheering like they just hit a game-winning home run in the World
Series.
Again, I believe it is safe to say that most Christians have a
favorable attitude towards Baptism but still may view it a bit
incorrectly.
So, how should we view Baptism? In a word: violent. Yes,
you heard that correctly; baptisms are violent, and they are fierce, and they
are destructive. Take our Baptismal liturgy, for example, and you will see what
I mean.
The Lutheran Church has long mentioned two Biblical accounts
from the Old Testament in our baptismal liturgy. If you look right in your
hymnal on page 268, we hear about Noah and the Ark, as well as Moses parting
the Red Sea. Indeed, the church has long seen the water in both of these
accounts as figures of Baptism. That is to say, the water that covered the
earth and the water of the Red Sea foreshadow Baptism.
Briefly, with Noah, we read in the Old Testament that after the
ark was built and the animals gathered, water burst from the earth and poured
down from heaven. And the water? It was not a nice warm shower, and it was not
a spa treatment. But instead, it was destructive power. The water destroyed all
evil that had filled the earth. The flood drowned idolatry, perversion, and
evil. Sure, we are all used to seeing happy Noah and happy animals in the ark
waving their hands like they are on a Caribbean Cruise, but we are often
unaware of the evil that is being drowned underneath the ark in the mighty
violent waters.
Consider also Pharaoh and his great army. After the Hebrews left
Egypt for the Promised Land, Pharaoh and his great army pursued. At the Red
Sea, though, the Lord parted the water so that the Hebrews could walk through
it. But Pharaoh’s army? Well, quite simply, Moses was commanded to stretch out
his arms to make the sea come crashing down upon the pursuing Egyptian army to
destroy every last one of them. And the water did exactly that. This was no accident
but intentional destruction of Pharaoh’s evil army through violent water.
In both of these accounts, the point is that the water was
violent, and it drowned and destroyed. It was not a gentle smooth stream but a
mighty destructive power.
And so, it makes sense why we say that baptisms are violent.
They are violent toward sin, death, and the devil.
Consider some of the fierce and destructive words used from the
Scriptures and our Lutheran heritage. Yes, Baptized Saints, hear what happened
in your Baptisms:
When you were
baptized, you were plunged into
water so that you were “snatched from
the jaws of the devil.” (LC IV, 83)
In Baptism,
you died with
Christ on the cross. (Romans 6:3)
In Baptism, you
were buried with
Christ in the tomb. (Romans 6:4)
Baptism
means death to
all your selfishness and sin. (The Explanation to Small Catechism: p. 302)
Baptism sets the
rhythm for your daily lives . . . how you daily drown the old
Adam. (The Explanation to Small Catechism: p. 302)
Plunged, snatched, died, buried, death, and drowned – that is
your Baptism for you.
Now, perhaps, you have not thought of your baptisms with such
strong and aggressive words before. And, perhaps, these strong and aggressive
words may cause a bit of discomfort or fear. If so, trust me, you and I do not
want an apathetic, calm, and incapable baptism. The reason is, you and I do not
have an apathetic, calm, and incapable Savior.
You see, your baptisms are fierce, destructive, and violent
because Jesus is the end of sin’s condemnation, the antidote to death, and the
victor over the devil. Baptized Saints, mark this; your baptisms are fierce,
destructive, and violent towards sin, death, and the devil – and that is a
great thing!
And so, baptisms are not just warm spa water applied to a child
for nostalgic reasons. Baptisms are not a lame symbol of a puny human
dedication towards God. Baptism is none of this nonsense, but instead, it is a
mighty flood that drowns your sin, washes over your death, and destroys the
power of the devil, for God sanctified your Baptism to do this because of
Jesus’ Baptism in the Jordan River that one day long ago.
And so, remember your baptisms, dear Saints, and remember them
often by making the sign of the cross on your head or your heart. Never
forget that Christ instituted your baptisms, and they are a work of your Triune
God – for you.
And also, do not forget that your baptisms are not only violent
but also wonderfully powerful for you. Do not forget that in your Baptism, you
were also raised with Christ to the newness of life. In your Baptism, the Lord
gave you the Spirit and made you His own. He did this to keep you secure in the
holy ark of the Christian church as you approach promised rest at the end of
your pilgrimage.
Your Baptism is violent and powerful – it is mighty because your
Jesus is mighty.
May you be strengthened through the mighty waters of your
Baptism today and until your last day. May you always be reminded of who you
belong to and what you have been given in your baptisms.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
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