Washed Clean as Snow

We're having a baptism at Messiah this Sunday. They're always festive occasions. And they are also a time to reflect on our own baptisms. Not to recall the details (as most of us were but wee pups). But to recall it's power--the power to mark you as God's own, the power to free you from all sin-past and present and future. To be washed purer than the snow, says the psalmist in Sunday's reading.
Baptism is a powerful thing because it comes from God--I don't do it, certainly the baby doesn't do it (and an adult being baptized doesn't either), the parents don't do it. God initiates and carries out this great act! That's why it need only be done once--what God does, he does right the first time!
What does baptism do? Forgives sin, saves from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation says good old Marty Luther. Once and for always--this is most certainly true! Daily it does as the psalmist says later on in #51: create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit with in me. It makes us fresh and new as the morning newspaper each day. (maybe that's not so fresh--you get the picture).

Sunday we'll welcome Carter into God's family and into Messiah's fellowship. We pray that he grows in Christ and in faith, and we pledge ourselves to assisting him and his parents when we can. Rejoice, for we are baptized!
Pastor Tom