“Why  Water???”

Matthew 3:16

I remember writing a paper in grade school about the waves of water at a beach.  I also remember my teacher saying it was good, evidently I liked the seashore, and then asked if I had ever lived by a lake, ocean or sea.  No, I said, but someday I want to!  That day came.  The celebration of the Baptism of Jesus reminds me of that. Why water?

Why didn’t  John the Baptist use wine, precious oil, or something else valuable for baptisms?  Part of the answer might be that water embodies the very meaning of Baptism.  Waster is for washing, and Baptism is the washing of renewal for new life in the Holy Spirit.  The New Year is a good time to be reminded that our sinful selves are washed away in the water of Baptism, and we rise up as new people in Jesus Christ.

Water is also plentiful.  Jesus did not use something expensive that only the wealthy could afford it, or so rare that few could find it.  The earth’s surface is 70% water(just like our bodies).  Water is so plentiful that most of us just turn on a faucet and we get all we want, even to keep our lawns and golf playgrounds green.  God’s grace is like that, abundantly covering the earth.

We need water to live.  One can live without food much longer than without water.  Those who live in parched areas, desert, or drought stricken lands, know how precious water is and are acutely aware how necessary water is for life.

God’s word is as necessary for true life as water is for physical life.  Water alone does not work the miracle of Baptism.  Our catechism says that  water by and in itself  is only water.  But the word of God WITH  the water is a life giving sacrament which by grace gives new birth through the Holy Spirit.

Think of your Baptism as you celebrate the Baptism of Jesus.

                                                                                      PASTOR  MIKE