Monday - Read today:
Pages 15-18 - The Way-40
Days of Reflection (Daily Devotion Guide)
Days of Reflection (Daily Devotion Guide)
Baptism and Forgiveness
(Mark 1:4-5)
The Jordan River, where
John was baptizing, was an eight-hour walk through the desert and Jerusalem.
Yet Mark tells us that many from Jerusalem made the trek to hear John preach
and to be immersed by him in the Jordan. Why did they walk eight hours, some
more, to answer John’s call to repent?
John was baptizing, was an eight-hour walk through the desert and Jerusalem.
Yet Mark tells us that many from Jerusalem made the trek to hear John preach
and to be immersed by him in the Jordan. Why did they walk eight hours, some
more, to answer John’s call to repent?
John dressed in the
garments of a prophet. He spoke powerfully. People came believing that God had
sent man, and that his message was from God. He called the people to repent and
to be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. What John offered at the
Jordan was God’s forgiveness and a chance to begin anew. Which of us doesn’t
long for this at times?
garments of a prophet. He spoke powerfully. People came believing that God had
sent man, and that his message was from God. He called the people to repent and
to be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. What John offered at the
Jordan was God’s forgiveness and a chance to begin anew. Which of us doesn’t
long for this at times?
She was in her thirties
and had lived a hard life. She began attending our church, yearning for a new
beginning. She had come to be baptized, and I spoke with her about the meaning
of this act. In my tribe (Methodist), baptism has a kaleidoscope of meanings. Among
these, it is a dramatic sign of God’s grace and mercy-his willingness to wash
us and make us new. It is an outward sign of God’s forgiveness.
and had lived a hard life. She began attending our church, yearning for a new
beginning. She had come to be baptized, and I spoke with her about the meaning
of this act. In my tribe (Methodist), baptism has a kaleidoscope of meanings. Among
these, it is a dramatic sign of God’s grace and mercy-his willingness to wash
us and make us new. It is an outward sign of God’s forgiveness.
As she approached the
baptistery she had tears in her eyes. She asked, “Pastor Adam, does God really
forgive all that I’ve done? I’ve done a lot of terrible things.” I assured her
that as she came to God, repentant, he would forgive it all. And I reminded her
that Christian baptism is a sign not only of God’s forgiveness for sins in the
past, but a promise of forgiveness when, in the future, we stumble and need his
grace. And thus, with her baptism, she began a new life.
baptistery she had tears in her eyes. She asked, “Pastor Adam, does God really
forgive all that I’ve done? I’ve done a lot of terrible things.” I assured her
that as she came to God, repentant, he would forgive it all. And I reminded her
that Christian baptism is a sign not only of God’s forgiveness for sins in the
past, but a promise of forgiveness when, in the future, we stumble and need his
grace. And thus, with her baptism, she began a new life.
Do you ever feel a
yearning for forgiveness and a new beginning? Every morning as I step into the
shower, I remember my baptism and ask God to wash me and make me new. At times
I feel a profound sense of my own sin and my longing for his grace. At other
times I simply know that there are ways in which I have not lived up to his
calling on my life. Either way, I recall with gratitude God’s forgiveness and
his claim upon my life.
yearning for forgiveness and a new beginning? Every morning as I step into the
shower, I remember my baptism and ask God to wash me and make me new. At times
I feel a profound sense of my own sin and my longing for his grace. At other
times I simply know that there are ways in which I have not lived up to his
calling on my life. Either way, I recall with gratitude God’s forgiveness and
his claim upon my life.
If you have yet to be
baptized, speak with your pastor about this profound act. If you have been
baptized, remember your baptism each day as you bathe, inviting God, once
again, to wash you and cover you by his grace.
baptized, speak with your pastor about this profound act. If you have been
baptized, remember your baptism each day as you bathe, inviting God, once
again, to wash you and cover you by his grace.
Prayer: Lord, in
thought, word, and deed, by what I have done and what I have left undone, I
have sinned against you and others. Remember the promise you made at my baptism,
and wash me anew. I call upon the grace you offer us in Jesus Christ. Amen.
thought, word, and deed, by what I have done and what I have left undone, I
have sinned against you and others. Remember the promise you made at my baptism,
and wash me anew. I call upon the grace you offer us in Jesus Christ. Amen.
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