Sinner and Saint

Why do you seek the living among the dead?

Easter, 2016

Luke 24:1-12

"Why do you seek the living among the dead?"

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Lord is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

            The women in Jesus' life would have witnessed and heard about some amazing things. Mary the mother of our Lord was visited by angels, heard Simeon's confession that in the Christ child his "eyes have seen [God's] salvation; she would see water turned to wine. Mary and Martha witnessed Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead. Over and over again they saw Jesus perform great miracles and share His love with those considered to be the least around them. The women mournfully followed Jesus to the site of His crucifixion.

          I cannot help but recall these words from the hymn "Go to Dark Gethsemane." "Your Redeemers conflicts see, watch with him one bitter hour. Learn of Jesus Christ to pray." "Follow to the judgment hall. View the Lord of life arraigned. Oh, the pangs His soul sustained! Learn of Him to bear the cross." "Calvary's mournful mountain climb; There, adoring at His feet...It is finished! hear Him cry; Learn of Jesus Christ do die."

          That first Easter morning the women were still grieving. One minute Jesus' came into the city with throngs of people shouting Hosanna. Only days later one of Jesus' own Disciples would betray him. Then crowds yelled to Crucify him. Jesus was an innocent man. Yet he went to the cross willingly. Those closest to Jesus would be in shock and despair. That first Easter the women awoke at dawn to go to the tomb, not because they believed Jesus rose from the dead, but because they wanted to finish the burial customs. "On the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared." (Luke 24:1)

          But something happened. The stone was rolled away and the tomb was empty! Suddenly their mourning was turned to fear. Where was the body? Who took it? They were beside themselves. They just wanted to finish burying their Lord whom they loved. They would have been overcome with emotions.

          "And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?" (Luke 24:5) The women had gone to the tomb to seek the dead among the dead.

          We, like these women, often live our lives as if we sought out Jesus among the dead. We live as if Jesus was still buried in the tomb. We live worrying about tomorrow. How will this be paid for? What will we eat next? We need to work harder and harder to get ahead. Where is God when we need him? We get down as we are plagued with sickness and disease. We often want to give up. We are in darkest gloom.

          We are not alone in feeling and acting that way. Martin Luther was for a time in gloomy spirits. In vain did Katie, his beloved wife, try to cheer him. At last she put on a widow's garment and went around the house in deepest mourning. When Luther observed this, he asked, "Who is dead?" "God," replied Katie. "Don't be so foolish!" retorted the great Reformer. "Well, my dear Doctor," answered Katie, "you are so downhearted that I concluded God must be dead, and so I put on my mourning apparel." Luther understood the lesson his good wife wished to teach him, embraced her, and forgot his worries. We too ought to live each day joyously and without fear. We too must cast away our sorrows and worries. For God is not dead!

          "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen." (Luke 24:5-6) These women...who loved Jesus with all their heart...were living as if Jesus were dead. But they were to be honored with hearing the wonderful news proclaimed by the angels: "He is not here, but has risen." (Luke 24:6).

          The Lord is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia. That's just not a neat quote. Those aren't just nice words to be said. And Jesus' resurrection is far more than a happy ending. It's more than just a feel-good conclusion or the moral to a story. He really lives, and his resurrection means something – for us!

          Jesus was born to seek out the dead among the dead. We, by our sins, are dead. We are born dead, spiritually. We are dead men walking. We are separated from God, and separated from life. Not only destined for physical death, but eternal death. And already, in this life, subject to the effects of death – suffering, disease, decay.

          But in our baptism, we are buried with Christ, so that just as Christ is raised from the dead, so do we rise to new life from those waters. Now, here, even before our physical death, we are spiritually alive in Christ, by Christ, and connected to the Father in bonds of love that even death cannot separate. So even though we die, we will live. And even when we die, we don't, really. And though our body dies, like Christ, we will rise in these same bodies, to live forever. All of this is wrapped up in Easter.

          In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul calls Christ the “firstfruits” of those who have fallen asleep. But he is not the only or the last to rise. In Jesus' resurrection, we see our resurrection. In Jesus' victory over death, we see our own victory. In Jesus, the living one no longer among the dead – we see our own future. Though we die, yet shall we live!

          It is hard to overstate the importance of this day. Paul says if Christ didn't rise from the dead, then we are the most pitiful of all men – that everything we believe is in vain. But if Jesus really did rise, just like he said, and if he really is alive, that means everything!

          It means we can trust every other word he says. It means when he says your sins are forgiven, they truly are! It means when he promises his body and blood to you here – you can trust it fully. It means when he says you are clean, you are. When God promises life eternal, the resurrection, and the reuniting with all the saints...it will happen!

          Why do you seek the living among the dead? By faith we don't. By faith we seek him where he promises to be. In his word. In baptism. And in his meal at his altar. And there, he who is living, gives us his life. Life that he gave at the cross. But life that death could not contain. Life that he has forever, and shares with us forever.

          So on this Easter morning...we hasten to the tomb. We joyfully run because we know the tomb is empty! We know Christ is Risen. And in that truth; in that reality; the reality that Jesus is alive...we who are alive in Christ, by faith, seek out the dead among the living. We seek out those whom we love; we seek out our neighbors, we even seek out our enemies and share the joyous news. Christ is risen as He said. Salvation has been won! Your sins are forgiven. Amen. The Lord is Risen. He is Risen indeed. Alleluia.

Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Ride on...to Die

Palm Sunday, 2016

John 12:12-19

"Ride on..to Die"

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

            Palm Sunday. The triumphal entry by Christ into Jerusalem. The beginning of Holy Week. These themes remind me of one of my favorite poems by Alfred, Lord Tennyson titled "The Charge of the Light Brigade."

          "Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward, All in the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. “Forward, the Light Brigade! Charge for the guns!” he said. Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred.  “Forward, the Light Brigade!” Was there a man dismayed? Not though the soldier knew Someone had blundered. Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die. Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon in front of them Volleyed and thundered; Stormed at with shot and shell, Boldly they rode and well, Into the jaws of Death, Into the mouth of hell Rode the six hundred. Flashed all their sabres bare, Flashed as they turned in air Sabring the gunners there, Charging an army, while All the world wondered. Plunged in the battery-smoke Right through the line they broke; Cossack and Russian Reeled from the sabre stroke Shattered and sundered. Then they rode back, but not Not the six hundred. Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon behind them Volleyed and thundered; Stormed at with shot and shell, While horse and hero fell. They that had fought so well Came through the jaws of Death, Back from the mouth of hell, All that was left of them, Left of six hundred. When can their glory fade? O the wild charge they made! All the world wondered. Honour the charge they made! Honour the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred!"

          Surely Tennyson was influenced by Psalm 23 when he wrote about these brave soldiers that boldly rode into the mouth of hell. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." (Psalm 23:4) These men show true courage under fire. They are loyal soldiers and do not question their orders...even though they ride into certain death. They are to be honored for all time.

          But Christ's ride into Jerusalem was different! "The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" (John 12:12-15)

          This doesn't sound like the Valley of the Shadow of Death. This doesn't sound like the hellish ride of the Light Brigade! It was a glorious day! It might not be as extravagant as one of the British Royals being crowned...or as grand as the President visiting a city...but this was still a big event. Just look at how our Lord enters the city. He enters riding...a donkey. Wait. That doesn't sound all that impressive.

          While there was a large crowd that came out for the coronation...it certainly wasn't the whole city. The Romans didn't pay this ruckus any attention. Even the religious leaders ignored the event...except to ridicule Jesus and His disciples. They would complain to each other as they watched the event "You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him." (John 12:19) And with that hurried their plans to kill Jesus. Not much of a coronation after all...

          In the midst of being praised...even as "the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness" (John 12:17) Jesus wept for the people. As Scripture records: "the reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign." (John 12:18) The people came out to praise Jesus because of the miracles he performed...not because they had faith that Jesus was the Messiah.

          There in the very midst of God's chosen people was their promised Savior. Yet they did not know him; they did not believe He was the Christ. The Disciples were also confused and did not understand what was taking place. Even the religious leaders got it all wrong. All of them should have realized what was taking place. The prophet Zechariah foretold: “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9)

          Instead of believing that Jesus was the Son of God, the promised Messiah, the Savior of the World...the crowds and religious leaders rejected Him. So yes, Jesus wept over His people. Jesus still weeps over His creation that continues to reject. Christ had come for us all…and we as sinners ended up yelling “Crucify Him!” instead of praises fit for our King. Did you hear that? We yelled “Crucify Him!” We yell it by our sinful thoughts, words, and deeds. We yell it by neglecting our calling as Christians…to proclaim the truth about Jesus…We yell it by neglecting the Sabbath day and not keeping it holy… by these and all our sins we continue to yell “Crucify Him!”

          Today, Palm Sunday, marks the sad and mournful beginning of Holy Week as it leads to the crucifixion of our Lord. Jesus rode into Jerusalem...He rode in to die. He did not waver. He did not question His Father's plan of salvation. He rode into the mouth of hell.

          But...dear Christians...today also marks our Lord's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. By faith we shout "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" (John 12:13) We rejoice greatly even at this time of mourning because we know what Jesus came to do and what He brings.

          "Ride on, ride on, in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die. O Christ, Thy triumphs now begin O'er captive death and conquered sin." Today is a coronation. Today is a joyful day. Because Jesus came to die for our sins and conquer sin, death, and hell. Unlike the Light Brigade...Jesus conquered even though He died. In fact it was His death that conquered sin, Satan, death and hell. Through His death we are redeemed; we are forgiven.

          “Ride on, ride on in majesty.” Our King has come and ridden to death. Jesus has taken your sins to the cross. He has died for them. Your sins have been forgiven. You are innocent in His sight. Even though You too walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death...fear no evil. For Christ the Light of the world is victorious and He is with you always. Through Jesus we may joyfully look forward with repentant and thankful hearts to the victory of the resurrection and the empty tomb!  Come this day to the Lord's table...and join in the feast of victory for our God. Receive your pardon and your peace in Him. Amen.

Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.

The Cornerstone

      Lent 5, 2016

Luke 20:9-19

“The Cornerstone”

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

            The scene is Jerusalem on the Tuesday before Jesus' crucifixion and death. Jesus is addressing the people but His words are aimed specifically at the members of the Sanhedrin; which included the 70 elders, the chief priest, and scribes; the religious leaders of Israel. And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while. When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out.” (Luke 20:9-12)

            God entrusted the Covenant to His chosen people Israel since the time of their deliverance from Egypt. The people of Israel should have produced fruits from their faith. But they never shared the promise of a Messiah with neighboring people. Instead they rejected God and took for themselves false idols and followed their wicked rulers in idolatry. Over and over again God sent messengers to His people; prophets that called the people to repentance and proclaimed punishment and destruction if they did not repent. More importantly the prophets proclaimed the coming of the Messiah; the Savior of the world; the Son of God; and salvation and forgiveness through Him. The lineage of prophets would end with John the Baptist who prepared the way for Christ. How did God’s people treat the prophets? Hear our Lord’s Word: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Luke 13:34) God’s chosen people rejected the prophets and killed those God sent who proclaimed what they did not want to hear. What more could our Heavenly Father do? He had sent them Prophets to proclaim His Word to them.

            “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’ And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them?” (Luke 20:13-15)

            It is becoming clear to the people and the Sanhedrin that Jesus is speaking of God, that "the tenants" are the Jewish leaders, and that the "vineyard" is the people of Israel. The situation is tense and serious. God had sent his son whom He loved to the people even to the Sanhedrin; the tenants left in charge of the people. God truly wanted all of them to repent and be saved.

            The Sanhedrin, like the tenants in the parable, plotted a horrible crime…a murder. Christ had a perfect right to expect the fruits of repentance and obedience from His people but the Sanhedrin wanted the inheritance for themselves on their own terms.

            Then the owner “will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others."  When the people heard this, they said, "May this never be!"  The owner of the vineyard, God the Father, finally comes himself, but not to look for fruit. From verses 9-15 (the beginning of our text) we see the great love and long-suffering of the Father by sending his servants the prophets and finally his Son to them. Now the Father comes to judge. The punishment is proportionate with their crimes.

            But the people there gathered yelled “May this never be!” This cry meant that the people hoped and prayed to God that this terrible act would not happen. They didn’t want to see Jesus killed or the judgment on the religious leaders whom they respected. The people understood what was going on as well as the Sanhedrin.

            “Jesus looked directly at them and asked, "Then what is the meaning of that which is written: 'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone '? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed." (Luke 20:17-18)

            Jesus really cared for them. The parable has ended and Jesus now makes an emphatic point. It's as if Jesus says:  "You mean to tell me it won't happen? It will. It has been prophesied." Truthfully…if anyone should have known what was to take place it was the religious leaders! They should have known the prophecies concerning Jesus! They should have recognized who Jesus was and why He had come. But they rejected. The Jewish leaders could not stand the thought of someone taking the leadership from them. They did away with Him because of jealousy and envy as is pictured in the parable.

            “The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.” (Luke 20:19) The Jewish leaders react immediately. How sad it is that they show their true faith...they feared the people...instead of fearing God. Jesus knew what was going to happen…he wouldn’t be caught off guard. Jesus told them this parable as a final warning for them that they may repent and believe. As we know the plot to murder Jesus was acted out as the Sanhedrin itself rallied the crowds chanting “crucify Him!”

            My brothers and sisters in Christ. Far too many of us, of our loved ones, of mankind are in danger of ignoring and rejecting Jesus. For the majority of the world Jesus is still the stone the builders continue to reject. Many reject the need for a Savior. Many reject Jesus as ever being real. Many reject God altogether. We are coming upon one of the most joyous times in the Church Year with Easter. It is a time of celebration at the victory Jesus won on the cross being raised by the Father that first Easter morning. And yet Easter is a time of mourning for those that do not know this wonderful message. It is a time of mourning for those that ignore and forget Jesus the rest of the year. It is a time of mourning because we forget about Jesus during the week, fail to share the Gospel with others, and fail to act as we should. Faith is expected to bear good fruit.

            Each and every day God promises to be with us, to watch over us, and to take care of us. Each and every week God offers us forgiveness of sins, strength for the day, everlasting life through His Word and forgiveness of sins and strength in Jesus very body and blood. God, in his long-suffering, has chosen to send us messengers. Pastors have been sent to the harvest before the coming of Christ on judgment day. It is out of love that God sends Pastors to proclaim His Word. The time to repent is now. The time to cling solely to Christ is now. God’s Word is for all people and especially for you. It is God’s promise in action for you! As sinful people clinging to Christ for forgiveness; remember God’s promise for you. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) The promise is for you. The victory has been won. You will not perish. God’s promise of everlasting life in heaven is yours. They are yours in Christ Jesus who died and rose for you. Your forgiveness has been won. You are a child of the Heavenly Father. Amen.

Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.

What's the Big Deal about Baptism

Baptism of Luke Nathanael Dietrich

Lent 4, 2016

“What’s the big deal about baptism?”

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

            What is the best gift that I can give to my son Luke? There are all kinds of things that a child might need and does need. Children need a house and home, clothes, lots and lots and lots and lots of diapers!, warmth, being taken care of…and so much more. Those are all important but what is the best gift I can give. For help…I did a Google search. One website I found gave a great list of the best gifts to give to your child. This is the list: Self-confidence, empathy, creativity, perseverance, discovery, forgiveness, silliness, teamwork, limits, individuality, and time. That sounds like a great list…because…I know that I can at least give some of those gifts! Some other great gifts that I found were: love, and a good education. Once again I’m happy to say that I can give those! It’s a wonderful feeling knowing that I can give my child some of the best gifts that there are! I’m sure all of you parents would agree.

          There is a problem however. A great big problem. Something was missing from that list of the best gifts. Nowhere did I see on any of the lists I found: Jesus, faith, baptism. Are any of the gifts on the lists the internet has…really the best gift…if they are to be given and received apart from Christ Jesus, His Word, Baptism, or faith?

          There is one more problem. It’s the biggest problem there ever has or will be. It’s the problem that all of us have and give to our children. On the one hand there are so many great gifts we can give our children…and on the other…it’s the gift that we have given to our children that is the problem…really…it’s no gift at all: sin, unbelief, death and damnation. That is the worst thing you could give to your child…and sadly enough that is what I have given Luke…and what you have given your child. I’m not trying to be hard on myself or on any parent…but it’s the truth.

          Listen to these words: “All mankind fell in Adam’s fall, one common sin infects us all; from sire to son the bane descends, and over all the curse impends. Thro’ all man’s powers corruption creeps and him in dreadful bondage keeps; in guilt he draws his infant breath and reaps its fruits of woe and death. From hearts depraved, to evil prone, Flow thoughts and deeds of sin alone; God’s image lost, the darkened soul Nor seeks to find its heavenly goal.” (All Mankind Fell in Adam’s Fall, TLH Hymn 369)

          But that is just a hymn! What does God’s Word say about this? “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Psalm 51:5 ESV) “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” (Romans 3:10-12) “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.” (Romans 5:12, 14) “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” (Ephesians 2:1-3)

          Scripture cuts to the heart. Instead of giving the best gifts to our children…we pass on to them sin, unbelief, death, and damnation. No matter how hard I might try… no matter what I try to do… I cannot save my child; I cannot redeem my child; I cannot give my child faith! What then can I do? As a baptized Christian…I may bring my child to be baptized.

          Baptism is not on any list of the best gifts to give children. So what’s the big deal about baptism anyway? Isn’t it just some church ritual? Isn’t it just something you do with water? The word baptize just means to wash…don’t we do that anyway? What’s the big deal?

          Baptism is great…because it is all about what God does. In Luke’s baptism this morning you saw things that you may have never seen before…they come from Luther’s order of Holy Baptism. Within this order there was salt placed in Luke’s mouth, spittle placed on his ear as an exorcism took place, oil placed on his back and heart, a white garment given as well as a burning light. The only thing required for a Baptism to be a true Baptism is water and God’s Word…but these other symbols truly point to what is taking place in a baptism.

Listen to what God’s Word says: “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.” (Matthew 5:13) The salt of wisdom and faith is a gift from God. Faith is given in baptism. “And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” (Mark 7:33-34) Faith comes by hearing God’s Word…and yet we cannot hear God’s Word unless our ears have been opened by God. “And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.” (Mark 6:13) As we are born sinful, we are dead to sin…and children of wrath who follow Satan. In baptism God makes us his own children…restores life to us…promises us salvation…and casts Satan out.  “The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.” (Revelation 3:5) “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:26-27) Those who are baptized have had their names written in the lambs book of life and have been clothed in Christ and His righteousness. “But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.” (Matthew 25:6-10) In baptism Christ gives us all that He requires to enter the banquet feast…He gives us the very light…the oil...the faith that is needed.

          “Baptism now saves you.” (1 Peter 3:21) Baptism is all about what God promises to do…save you…redeem you…give you faith…raise you from the dead…make you His child…give you heaven. What’s so great about baptism? While I can only give my child death and damnation…God the Father gives my child faith and life through Baptism. Baptism gives me the comfort that not only am I a child of God…but so is my child. Baptism is the greatest gift I have to give my child…because Baptism is really the greatest gift God gives His child! Through the gift of faith given to us in Baptism we may boldly proclaim: “Sin, disturb my soul no longer; I am baptized into Christ! I have comfort even stronger; Jesus’ cleansing sacrifice. Should a guilty conscience seize me since my Baptism did release me In a dear forgiving flood, sprinkling me with Jesus’ blood? Satan, hear this proclamation; I am baptized into Christ! Drop your ugly accusation, I am not so soon enticed. Now that to the font I’ve traveled, All your might has come unraveled, And, against your tyranny, God, my Lord, unites with me!” (God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It, LSB Hymn 594)

          “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:3-4) In baptism I…my child…and each of you who are baptized…have been promised the gift of eternal life. God does not fail. Heaven is yours…Heaven belongs to Luke. That is the greatest gift…given by God…and the greatest gift a parent can be a part of…bring their child to be baptized. That is the gift of life. That is a gift that will not fail. That is the gift that gives me comfort and joy. Amen.

Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.