Day 15 - Buried with Him in Baptism, Raised with Him in Faith (Col 2:11-12)

¹¹ In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, ¹² having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. Colossians 2:11-12

The entire Bible points to Jesus from Genesis to Revelation. From the creation, when God the Son is with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, speaking things into existence. In Genesis 3, sin enters the world because of disobedience. God promises a seed from the woman who will crush the enemy. Generations later, God promises Abraham from him a great nation will be birthed. Abraham’s grandson, Jacob, whose name is changed to Israel gives birth to what will become the twelve tribes of Israel. The Israelites will go through times of great success, followed by times of utter deprivation and slavery. God raises up Moses, who will deliver the Israelites from slavery into the promised land, and along the way impart the promises and commandments of God.

The Israelites, whose line the Savior would be born out of the tribe of Judah, were called to be a people set apart…in what they ate, how they worshiped, how they lived, how they took care of each other. Circumcision was an outward sign of this people set apart by God.

Instead of remaining set apart and faithful, the Israelites consistently choose the things of the world over things of God. Like Eve, they choose to take a bite of the apple deceivingly promising something pleasing to the eye, pleasing to the senses, artificial power and knowledge, instead of walking with God. They want to fit in, make much of themselves, be like the other nations. They demand an earthly king instead of having God as their king. Kings come and go, most evil and corrupt. Disobedience results in Israel under the rule of other nations. No need for a king in exile. The prophets speak of a king that is to come. A Savior and Messiah who will make all things right again.

In Jesus, the Savior and true deliverer enters the scene. I visualize Jesus pulling back the earthy flesh He is wearing and all the goodness and glory of God busting out. God in His fullness was tucked into the body of the flesh of Jesus. Jesus shows the Jewish people what it means to live set apart.

We too are called to be set apart as Christians living in 2017. To stand out, shining a light pointing to God. Living and loving different than the world, choosing God as king of our lives.

As we accept the free gift of grace, salvation, redemption, we in turn begin putting off the flesh…or in other words, the things of this world that fight against God’s kingdom. Things that allow sin to grow instead of die. The things that tripped up Adam and Eve, and trip us up today…

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:16

For us, baptism is an outward sign of our inward declaration of Jesus as our Savior. 

We acknowledge that He came to earth – God Himself – and died taking on our sins and exchanging them for His righteousness.  

We are buried with Him in baptism. As we lay our head back, water rushing over us, our sins are buried with our acknowledgement of Jesus as our Savior through His crucifixion and burial.

We rise with Him in faith. Three days later, Jesus rises from the dead. As we symbolically emerge from the baptism water, professing our faith in Jesus as our Savior, we rise with Him. A new person, with new purpose, fighting for a new kingdom.

No longer washed by water, but by the blood of Jesus. Fitting that Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine. Water that cleanses temporarily turned to wine, often symbolic of blood that Jesus shed on the cross with the final and permanent sacrifice.

Buried with Him in Baptism, Raised with Him in Faith. Our sins are buried and new life begins. Rising, free from the weight of our shame and from trying to do better on our own. Rising, free from striving and guilt and condemnation.

Thank you, Jesus, for doing what we couldn’t do on our own. Help me to live a risen, forgiven, redeemed life well as a result.

***

Couldn’t fight back the tears so I fell on my knees

Saying, “God, if you’re there come and rescue me.”

Felt love pouring down from above

Got washed in the water, washed in the blood

And now I’m changed

I’m stronger

There must be something in the water

-          - Something in the Water, Carrier Underwood