Kathy Strauch
I was baptized when I was 11 days old and cannot remember that specific day. What I learned, however, is that what is most important is remembering what God did for us and to us in our baptism. Whether we can remember the specific events of the day or not, God still remembers us and gives to us what He promises: the gift of faith, forgiveness, and salvation through Christ.
In the season of Lent, we travel with Jesus through His earthly ministry and through His suffering, death, and resurrection for us. In his book, The Gospel of Baptism, author Richard Jungkuntz states “The way, the door by which [Christ] has chosen to take us into His life is Holy Baptism.” During this season of Lent, I want to remember my baptism in every Scripture reading and in every sermon I hear. As baptized children of God we are united with Christ. As we focus on the redeeming work of Christ, we can remember how that work was applied to us in our baptism. All of what Jesus lived for us and won for us is given to us in our baptism. “We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:4).
In the Large Catechism, Martin Luther writes “Therefore, if you live in repentance, you walk in Baptism. For Baptism not only illustrates such a new life, but also produces, begins, and exercises it.” During this season when we focus on repentance, I want to remember that through Holy Baptism, God is continually bringing me to repentance and drowning my old Adam, bringing me to new life in Christ each day.
Even though we may or may not be able to remember the exact day of our baptism, this Lent we can all remember that we are baptized and are therefore united with Christ. Jungkuntz also stated, “He who is baptized must say, ‘I have died; that death on the cross is my death, my judgement, my hell.’ Only so is Christ’s death efficacious for me.” God remembers us and promises the forgiveness of sins and life in Christ, gives and sustains faith by the Holy Spirit, and adopts us as children of our Heavenly Father.
Kathy Strauch is a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Troy, Michigan and is a graphic designer.
