Scripture: Colossians 2:11-12
In him also you were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision, by putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ; when you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
Thought for the Day: This coming Sunday is Baptism of the Lord Sunday. Just over two weeks ago, we celebrated the birth of Jesus. The past two Sundays, we’ve spoken of those things that occurred early in his life. You might expect more stories from his childhood in the weeks to come, but we immediately jump to the beginning of his ministry that has its origin in the waters of baptism. This ritual of baptism is a powerful teaching tool, and I am reminded of Earnest Hemingway who spoke against having a feeling of superiority over other human beings. “True nobility”, Hemingway wrote, “is being superior to your former self.” As people of faith, we are to be changed people. Usually this is a life-long process by which we grow in our discipleship, and as Hemingway suggested, it would be good for us, not in an arrogant way, to be superior today to the Christian we were yesterday…and by superior, I mean more humble, gracious and compassionate. Baptism is one of the tools God uses to make this happen.
Prayer: Creator of all good things, continue to create within me a life that reflects more fully the Jesus whose name I have taken. Amen.
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