“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” – Matthew 28:19
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. These words were spoken over you when you were baptized. These aren’t just random words. It’s not just a nice thing we say. These words have power, life-giving power.
In baptism God is putting His name on you.
If you had brothers or sisters growing up or just took things to school, you probably remember putting your name on your stuff. By putting your name on your lunchbox or your favorite toy, you were saying, “This is mine. This belongs to me.” In much the same way, in baptism God has put His name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, on you and said,
“This is my child.”
To have God’s name on you is more than just a statement of ownership, it is a declaration of adoption and it comes with many wonderful blessings.
This is the reality that you, as a baptized child of God, live in.
You might ask, “How can water do all this?”
It’s not just water. It’s water with the Word of God which is received by faith. God is the one baptizing you. It is the same Word of God which spoke galaxies into existence which creates new life in you in your baptism through the grace of Jesus Christ.
“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”
– Titus 3:5-7
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for washing me in the waters of baptism and putting Your name on me. I am Yours, not because of my own righteous works, but because of Your mercy and grace. Help me to live as Your child and to rest in the promise of my salvation through Jesus Christ.
Amen
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
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