Reformation Monday: the sacrament of baptism

What is baptism?
Baptism is not simply plain water.  Instead, it is water used according to God's command and connected with God's word.

Thus opens the section of the Small Catechism entitled "The Sacrament of Baptism." January is a good month to be speaking about baptism since the baptism of Jesus is one of the first readings of the new calendar year.  [Of course, our baptism 'into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ' is fundamentally different from the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptizer in the River Jordan.]

What gifts or benefits does baptism grant?
It brings about forgiveness of sins, redeems from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe it, as the words and promise of God declare.

Luther's Small Catechism is always a good, basic explanation of Lutheran theology, but it also reflects its historical context.  Luther answers the questions that were being asked at that time.  It has been a long,  long time since anyone spoke about their worry over the devil (evil, yes; the devil, no).  Our times bring different questions.

In my opinion, in the 21st century the more important aspect of baptism to be emphasized is its role in an individual's initiation into the life of faith in Jesus.  It is the historic entry rite to the church.  This is not in opposition to Luther's original teaching, but rather re-frames it with new language and the underlying message that baptism is a transforming experience.  New life is given.  Our lives should look new or different as a result.

In America, baptism has faded into a shadow of itself in our great American cultural religion.  It has shifted from promise to guarantee; that is, the water of baptism is mistakenly taken as a guarantee of reward rather than a promise grounded in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  Think of it as the Monopoly "Get out of jail free" card.  Folks do actually call the church to arrange to  have their child 'done.'  This leads to a 'one and done' attitude, not a commitment to living a transformed life.

Even within the church, the radical re-formation of life in Jesus is mentioned infrequently and expectations of transformation are spoken gently.  Certainly there was a time when 'Christians' (or the 'baptized' ones) had a long list of acceptable - or should I say unacceptable - behaviors (think: drinking, smoking, dancing, women wearing trousers, divorce, unmarried parents, living in sin, etc. etc.)  The 'transformed' life looked a little too much like middle class America and expectations were used not for encouragement and spiritual growth but for judgment.

Judgment is the business of God, but life conforming to the teachings and ministry of Jesus is the goal of baptism....because it is what a life of faith in Jesus looks like.  Jesus forgave enemies; we are to as well.  Jesus welcomed 'sinners'; we are too as well.  Jesus spent copious time in prayer; we are to as well.  Etc. Etc. Etc.

Baptism is a new birth - the beginning of a new life lived with different values, different ethics and different behaviors.  Like all children, baptized folk walk this path imperfectly, stumbling along the way.  However, the Way that we are following is Jesus, even when we do it imperfectly.

Looking back over the years, can you discern the ways in which the Holy Spirit has been at work in your life, transforming you into the Child of God that Jesus claimed in baptism?