Archive for the ‘Baptism’ Category

Day 96: Luke 5:1-12 — “Be Clean”

Tuesday, April 6th, 2010

leperLeprosy was considered in the ancient world a natural symbol for sin. It was a devastating illness socially and spiritually. For a community without the medical treatments that we have today, you would be ostracized both in the social and religious world. Jesus tells the leper, “be clean” (Luke 5:13). The word here is καθαρίζω, katharízō. We get the word cauterize from it. It has a deeper meaning than just “be clean.” It is a term that could mean healing and forgiveness. It is used throughout the New Testament to cleanse, free from filth (e.g., Matthew 23:25; Luke 4:27; Luke 5:12-13; Luke 7:22). To cleanse or make clean from leprosy (Matthew 8:2-3; Mark 1:40-42), often used in the Septuagint for legal cleansing from leprosy (e.g., Leviticus 14:7-11). To cleanse in the sense of purification, legal or ceremonial (Hebrews 9:22-23). In a spiritual sense, to purify from the pollution and guilt of sin (e.g., Acts 15:9; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 5:26; Titus 2:14; Hebrews 9:14; James 4:8; 1 John 1:7-9). Jesus has concern for the ritually outcast. He touches a leper and restores him to community both socially and spiritually.

It is fascinating that as I was working on this post for today, I was asked to talk to one of our mothers about a skin disease that her child has. It has become contagious and we have to get everyone treated; there will be plenty of bathing and cleansing in the cities of Buda and Kyle tonight. It is not funny but when it comes to our spiritual cleansing, are we as worried? I believe in baptism for forgiveness of sins (e.g., Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21) but so many people today want to deny the importance of baptism. I watched a parent tell other parents how to wash and clean their children, themselves, and their homes because the doctor said to. Everyone seems ready to comply. Playing devil’s advocate, I want to ask why?

God tells us that baptism is important for washing away sin and so many want to ignore it. So, why don’t we ignore the doctor that tells us we need to cleanse our bodies to prevent a spread of a contagious skin disease? Go figure! I guess if the leper had lived today, he would have told Jesus, “Don’t touch me!”

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Day 64: Numbers 8:5-22 — Salvation

Friday, March 5th, 2010

waterI have a preacher friend from another tradition that likes to tease me. When he sees me, he will say something like, “Hey Randy, you still baptizing people or have you learned about grace?” I will answer back something like, “Yes, grace has taught me to baptize.” I don’t think we will ever come to terms with this but when I read our text from Numbers 8:5-22, it makes me think about why cleansing is so important to God. I mean God has already shown His grace to the people by saving them from the Egyptians. He brought them out of Egypt and saved them from Pharaoh at the crossing of the Red Sea. Well then after He shows them His grace, why does He give them the Ten Commandments, expect them to build a tabernacle, and then in our reading tell the people to cleanse themselves for purification of sins? In this long list of things to do, never do the people question God’s grace nor his commandments.

Next time, I see my friend, I am going to yell, “you still telling people to call on the name of Jesus to be saved or have you learned of grace?” I mean if grace saves us why do we need faith, or to call on the name of Jesus, or confess, or repent, or be baptized, or to give money, or to live morally? It seems to me if we understand grace then we understand judgment. The just thing for God to do is to annihilate us from the face of the earth. I mean we have all sinned. We are all guilty. Yet, Jesus died for our sins and saved us from our sins. Jesus is so much greater than the sacrifice and purification in the Old Testament in our reading. I think His call for us to obey His Word today is even greater.

I believe that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). I confess Him (Romans 10:9-10) and call upon His name (Romans 10:13), I repent of my sins (Acts 2:38), and I submit my body to be immersed (buried in water – Colossians 2:12) into Christ (Galatians 3:26-27). I believe that coming up out of that grave of water, that I am born again (John 3:3-5). I am forgiven of past sins (Acts 2:38 and Acts 22:16). I am saved (1Peter 3:21 and Mark 16:16). I am added to the church which Jesus built (Matthew 16:18, Acts 2:41, and Acts 2:47). I have received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as a seal of my salvation (Acts 5:32, Ephesians 1:13-14, and Romans 8:9-11). I am called to live a life worthy of Christ everyday (Ephesians 4:1-6).

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Posted in Baptism, Cross, Discipleship, faith, Forgiveness, God, Grace, Numbers, Repentance, Salvation, Sin | Comments Off

Day 48: Matthew 26:56 –If Scripture is good enough for Jesus, it ought to be good enough for us

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

In Matthew 26:47-56, Jesus is betrayed and arrested. We know the story of Judas’ betrayal, the “kiss,” the disciple pulling out his sword to cut off the ear, Jesus’ reattachment of the ear, the discourse on violence, and the disciples fleeing. While I was reading, something caught my eye. Twice in this section, Matthew tells us that Scripture was fulfilled (Matthew 26:54 and Matthew 26:56). People always focus on Judas, the High Priest, the ear gets a lot of attention, violence, and the disciples fleeing. However, we ought to focus on Jesus and Jesus is focusing on Scripture. The Old Testament in Zechariah 13:7-9 tells us that the Shepherd will be struck and judgment will come upon the people because of their idolatry and sin. A time of refinement will be put in place where the people are tested and honed. Yet, the good news is that it will lead to a time when God will claim His people and the people will claim their God.

A few things:

1. Jesus was struck as the Good Shepherd as Scripture foretold.

2. The disciples fled as Scripture foretold.

3. We are being honed and tested as Scripture foretold.

4. We can call on the name of the Lord and He answers as Scripture foretold.

5. God claims His people and His people claim Him as our God as Scripture foretold.

6. The disciples return and in fact in the second chapter of Acts, Peter preaches about Jesus Christ and quotes scripture. His message cut to the heart (Acts 2:37) and they asked what they needed to do. If you would like to see the answer go read what Scripture says in Acts 2:38-40.

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