A Multi-Colored Gift

       In the name of the Father, Son +, and Holy Spirit, Amen.  A diamond ring has many facets that reveal its inner beauty, luster and radiance. Examining it under a jeweler’s loupeand bright light one appreciates the unique character of each stone.  One of my hobbies is coin collecting.  Many collectors are drawn to bright shining coins that look like they come straight from the mint.  Some coins that have been left largely alone in a box, bag or vault take on some very colorful toning. There, the atmosphere humidity, temperature and material surrounding the coin give it a unique patina.  The result is a coin that may display fabulous color.  Some of the beauty is not obvious initially.  But tilted under a light color jumps off the coin. These coins demand a premium from collectors who appreciate gorgeous toning.  They are literally one of a kind despite being one of thousands minted that year.

God’s gift of Holy Baptism is much like these coins.  The eyes behold water.  Seen through the light of God’s Word, this gift is much more vibrant and colorful. Each verse presents another facet of the diamond that is Jesus.  Each verse brings a new vibrant hue from the reality that is Christ Jesus.  Paul reminds the Colossians of all they have received from their connection to Jesus.  He rattles off a list from the gift-giving God. The Lord is at work throughout.
       In Baptism they have been buried with Jesus into His death.
       The Triune God is at work raising you from the dead in the resurrection of Christ.
       In Him your hearts have been circumcised
       God makes you alive together with Jesus,
       He forgives all your trespasses,
       He cancels your debt and marks it paid in full by nailing the bill to the cross.
      He disarmed rulers and authorities.
      He displays victory through death and resurrection.
You and I are the recipients of God’s manifold mercy and grace in Jesus Christ.  In Jesus the fullness of the deity dwells bodily. The implications are astounding.  We proclaim Jesus Christ.  He embodies the fullness of God in human flesh.  What we are unable to do, Jesus did. He made perfect satisfaction for your sins. He took your place under the law. We have what the world does not understand or know that it needs.

     Earlier this week I heard several men on the radio sharing their religious views.  Each of them believed that they were saved by their works.  They acknowledged that they are not perfect but hope that God will accept them based upon the good they did and their good intentions even when they did not result in good things. None of them expressed a need for a Savior or an Advocate to stand before the throne of God on their behalf. This is an example of what it means to be held captive by philosophy and empty deceit according to human tradition and the elemental spirits of the world. They are dead men talking and do not realize the severity of their condition or the salvation that Jesus brings..

     Not that we should take credit for what we have in Christ.  It is part of God’s gifting to us.  Paul carefully illustrates this by the language he employs.  Words like “as you received,” “rooted,” “built up in Him,” “established in the faith” are all passives.  No one has the power to root, establish and build themselves up in the faith.  These works are reserved for God the Holy Spirit. They begin with baptism and continue through the hearing of the Word. This is what makes not attending church so damning.  A person removes themselves from the very place God chooses to root, establish and build them up in Jesus Christ.  As you have received Christ, so walk in Him. This is what you have been taught to do. It fulfills the commandment to remember the Sabbath day and keeping it holy. How is it kept holy? When we gladly hear the Word of God and live holy lives according to it. The apostle says it like this:  “As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6).

     Solomon observed that there is nothing new under the sun.  The world is terminally ill unto death.  It is not a condition that anyone can overcome.  Left to our alleged goodness and noble intentions we fail.  We die because we are sinners.  The only antidote is Jesus Christ. He knows the true condition of every human heart.  He knows how we minimize our sins and maximize our own goodness.  He knows that are condition is fatal.  He comes anyway.  He comes to treat us not as we deserve but according to His mercy.  He comes and unveils for us a glorious salvation.  You are baptized into it as through this washing of water you are buried with Jesus and are instantaneously raised to new life.

     In the light of God’s Word, baptism pops with vibrant living color.  It’s all a gift for you daily. Many will try to disqualify you by saying that this can’t be true.  You must do and do and do and not do this, that and other things. Paul dismisses them as puffed up without reason, not holding fast to the Head who is Christ.  The reality is Jesus.  He is the head from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God (Colossians 2:19), Amen.