Baptized for Forgiveness

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

John the Baptist comes, preaching in the wilderness, calling for repentance and confession of sins and baptizing people. It just doesn’t seem to be very “Christmassy,” right? Where’s Isaiah, with “the virgin will conceive and bear a son and He shall be called Immanuel?” Where’s the shepherds and the baby in the manger and the angels? Before Christmas and the virgin and the manger and the shepherds and the angels, it’s important to hear John the Baptist. The Lord sent John to prepare the way of the Lord, to call people to repentance and confession. The Lord sent John to baptize. After all, the presence of Jesus matters to sinners who need forgiveness and to those who need the grace that comes from God in the flesh, born in Bethlehem.

That’s why you need to be called to repentance. Your sins are many. You spoke hurtful words. You judged others. You sloughed off a little bit at work and hoped no one would notice. You lusted after others. You disrespected your parents and other authorities. Your worship and attention to God’s Word has been, well, imperfect. For a sinner like you, the voice of John is needed. Turn from your sin! Prepare the way of the Lord!

The Lord sends baptism for forgiveness. These baptismal waters are no mere sign or symbol or ritual. No, this water and the word of God washes away sin - even all your sin! Here, the name “sinner” is replaced with the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Here, you are made one of God’s holy saints. It’s not the water, but the word of God with the water that does this spectacular thing! You are transformed by the power of God. John came to prepare the way of the Lord Jesus. Jesus has come, yes indeed, with the manger and the shepherds and the angels. But today, we also celebrate that the Lord Jesus has come with baptismal waters. There, He is truly present to wash away sin and create and strengthen faith.

Yet, sometimes it seems odd that children who can’t speak their confession or confess their sins or their faith should be baptized. Sometimes, people wonder if these innocent looking babies have done anything wrong. They haven’t had a chance to commit any sins, common sense declares. They don’t know how to talk or sass their parents. Common sense goes on to declare that they don’t know how to be discontent or prideful or hateful. They don’t know what lust is, and since nothing is expected of them, they can’t be lazy. Common sense would say all those things.

But common sense doesn’t determine someone’s righteousness or someone’s sinfulness. The issue with babies that are 4 days old or 4 weeks old or 4 months old, or adults who are 40 or 60 or 80 years old is their sinfulness. Sinfulness is more than “doing sins.” If our sinfulness and wickedness were just judged on keeping ourselves from doing bad things, there might be a hypothetical chance of keeping God’s word. However, each and every person is conceived and born sinful, as Psalm 51 says. Every person is born without the fear of God, without trust in God, and with the inclination to sin (also called “concupiscence”) . This desire to sin is sinful in and of itself. St Paul says that, without Christ, you are an enemy of God. This is the sinful nature that we confess. Each and every person is born with that inclination to sin.

That’s why everyone needs baptism. That’s why you are called to remember your baptism. This remembering isn’t a mental exercise, like remembering a date or multiplication tables or the periodic table. Remembering your baptism is nothing less than living in faith that God has prepared the way for the Savior for you, straightening you up into His righteous pathways. This is what God has done for you, sending the baptism of repentance and new life. John the Baptist has come to testify to your Savior. The manger, with the shepherds and angels; the cross, with the crown of thorns and the nails; the empty tomb, with the rolled away stone and the surprised women and disciples - all this is delivered to you in your Baptism. All this is given to you as a gift. The work of God isn’t distant or remote or disconnected. Christ your Savior comes in His gift of Baptism, forgiving your sins and transferring you to His Kingdom of power and glory. Live in the way of the Lord, for you are His baptized saint. Amen.