Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
In our baptisms we move spiritually from death to life. We are reminded of this in the words from the service of Holy Baptism: “In baptism our gracious heavenly Father frees us from sin and death by joining us to the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, 227). We begin in death, and grace raises us to life. Still, we tend to focus on the spiritual nature of this change or transformation.
It is easy to forget that by the very nature of that baptism, we can in an instant move physically from life to death for the sake of the life we are gifted with in baptism. We hear the words of promise and trust in the gifts and blessings of baptism, but overlook the accompanying responsibility. Like a teenager with a brand new driver’s license we relish our newfound freedom and may forget all those other drivers on the road whose safety depends upon the new driver.
The new life we receive in baptism is a life that is lived to God each day. On any given day we may be called upon to renounce, in some way, the God we serve and love. On any given day, we may be called upon to stand up for life—or for a life, or for our own life—or for someone’s freedom or safety, or for love, perhaps even under threat of death. Many around the world live that kind of life every day for the sake of the gospel. Jesus encouraged disciples to always be ready for the tests and trials that will somehow surely come. As we grow in the obedience, courage, patience, and love we need to keep the faith in difficult times.
