Today (as we observe the Baptism of our Lord) Baptism forms a focal point. We hear of Jesus’ Baptism as an event “necessary to fulfill all righteousness”. We also hear of our Baptism into Christ, through which we are buried into Christ’s death and raised with Christ to newness of life. Both Jesus’ Baptism for us and our Baptism into Christ is such a powerful gift of God. Baptism isn’t something to keep hidden or be ashamed of. It’s something to be cheered and proclaimed. Let’s do just that by examining the final hymn for today. Let us gladly say it: I am baptized into Christ. Say it with me: I am baptized into Christ.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, we are “brothers and sisters in Christ” because we are God’s own children. You are God’s own child. When? Where? Why? And How? You are baptized into Christ! I am baptized into Christ! We have been baptized into Christ—buried into His death and raised by His resurrection, as we heard Paul declare.

We owed God a debt for our sin. The payment plan for sin is death—your death, my death. We deserve to die—not just physically and temporally, but spiritually and eternally. We have earned God’s eternal wrath and punishment because of our sin. We have earned slavery to sin, death, and hell. The only way we can try to get ourselves of these is to pay back the debt. But the only payment plan is death.

So, guess what happened? Jesus stepped into baptismal water in order to take His place with you, me, and the world. He identified with sinners in baptism. He was anointed with the Holy Spirit through the same baptism being received by sinners such as you and me, so that (Scripture says) He would be numbered with transgressors.

Jesus gave your full redemption price—His shed blood as He laid down His life paying the price for your sins. Baptism (which joins you to His death and His glorious resurrection) is the greatest gift you could ever receive. Through Baptism, you get forgiveness of sins, rescue from death and the devil, and eternal salvation—free to you in Christ Jesus!

Brothers and sisters in Christ, say it with me: “I am baptized into Christ.” Therefore, sin isn’t the powerful force it once was. Sin doesn’t hold sway over you. Because you have been baptized into Christ, you belong to Christ. Sin doesn’t have full control to disturb your soul.

Sin tries. Sin tries its best to lure you away from the Lord. As Paul describes, sin seizes any opportunity to lure you back into its trap. But the Lord has given you two weapons to resist sin and to comfort a guilty conscience when sin does gain the upper hand. The Holy Spirit and Baptism. You are temples of the Holy Spirit within you. The Holy Spirit works in you to resist sin, live for God alone, and trust the Lord with all your heart. The Holy Spirit works through Baptism to remind you that, you belong to the Lord who died and rose for your soul’s salvation and has cleansed you in the forgiving flood of Baptism. 

Sin’s guilt can and does overwhelm us. So, the Lord gives a gift that flows from Baptism. Absolution is the pronouncement that the sins which we lament and repent of have been paid for and atoned by Jesus’ precious blood. Through the Good News that our sins really truly are forgiven, we are released of our burden and set free as God’s children.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, say it with me: “I am baptized into Christ.” So, you tell Satan and his vile minions off. His goal is to drive a wedge between you and Jesus. One way he tries to drive a wedge is by trying to make you reject what Jesus has done through Baptism.

The devil tries to accuse you of your sins. He whispers in your ear, “You know that you constantly sin against God. You regularly disobey Him. You don’t go a day without breaking a commandment. Why shouldn’t He turn His back on you? You don’t deserve to live and reign with Him in His kingdom. Why should He give you eternal life?”

Perhaps the best response is to agree. “I don’t deserve Jesus’ blessings, but Jesus has promised that through Him (through His precious blood, through the laying down of His life for my sins, through His atonement), I have the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.”

Jesus’ promise means Satan can no longer accuse you. His might has come unraveled. His only hope is that you listen to his voice. But you don’t, because Jesus (your Good Shepherd) has united Himself to you. In Baptism, you’ve been clothed with Christ. You listen to the voice of your Shepherd, following where He leads. When you stray, He calls you back to Himself. As His sheep, you follow His precious voice.

Brothers and sisters, say it with me: “I am baptized into Christ.” Death is not the end—for those who belong to Christ. Death is not the end for those who belong to Christ. By His death and resurrection, Jesus won victory over sin, Satan, and He has beat down death itself. He holds the keys to death and Hades. Christ (who is the resurrection and the life) holds open the door of eternal life to all who believe.

Yet, you do mourn death. You are saddened when loved ones die. This is because death is not meant to be, and you know it. So, you are sad and you grieve. You may even fear your own death. However, the sorrow of death, the fear of death, need not overcome the promise of Jesus. The death-day of your loved ones who believe in Jesus, the day of your own death, is the day paradise is entered just as Jesus promised.

Death tries to grasp us. It tries to end our gladness, but it can’t. Jesus has a tighter grip on us through the forgiveness of sins. We grieve death, knowing Christ is our hope and salvation. We grieve death, trusting Jesus makes all things new. We face death, strengthened by Baptism into Christ—trusting, knowing eternal life is ours.

Here and now, it looks like death has won the victory. But Jesus declared on the cross, “It is finished.” Our Lord (who is the way, the truth, and the life) promises immortal paradise—a promise you can trust, knowing He has claimed you in Baptism.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, say it with me: “I am baptized into Christ.” How precious is Baptism? Nothing can compare. All the money in the world can’t pay the debt of sin. All the power of the world can’t obtain your salvation. Fame does nothing. Worldly pleasure has no power. Whether rich or poor, powerful or oppressed, free or slave in this life—the outcome is the same. Your grave is starring. Death awaits.

Who has the power to save? Christ Jesus. He ties salvation to Baptism—something that He does to you both spiritually and physically by water and the Word. Baptism is a sign and promise, that you may know and believe Jesus has redeemed you unto eternal life through the forgiveness of your sins, rescuing you from death and Satan.

When physical death comes to claim us, our souls rest in Christ. We sleep secure. But there’s so much more to come! The resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Heavenly paradise won’t be something we experience with just our soul. It’s something we will experience as fully resurrected, restored, renewed, glorified human beings.

God created humanity in His image and likeness. The devil tricked Eve by saying she would be like God if she ate the forbidden fruit. However, we become like God through union with Jesus in Baptism. In Baptism, Jesus renews you in His image and likeness so that you will bodily rise from the dead to enjoy paradise with Him as the baptized. Say it with me: “I am baptized into Christ.” Amen.