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“As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
Matthew 3:11, LSB
I love the distinction that John the Baptist makes between what he has to offer in comparison to what is offered by our Lord, Jesus Christ. When I hear many speak about Baptism, for those who are non-sacramental, it sounds a lot more like the baptism that John offers which, as he admits, is merely water for those who feel they need to repent. What Jesus offers is so much greater. In the waters of Baptism, which is offered to us in Christ, we are promised life. When John speaks of fire, he is pointing to the imagery given us of the silversmith who burns away all that which is impure in our lives. Our Lord offers the same for us. In the waters of Baptism, the impurities of original sin are washed away, and daily, as we walk in our Baptism, we are continually washed of the sin that attempts to cling to us. This is an ongoing blessing that we receive in Christ and are reminded to be careful not to forsake or forget. This is the only hope we have to cling to in our lives. When we confess and are contrite the stain does not remain eternally even when the consequences affect us in our earthly walk. We can walk daily in the confidence of our salvation in Christ and Christ alone as promised to us in those waters. We are not made right by our own actions but by the actions and the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In Him, we find our peace.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.
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