Brent Kuhlman

+ Jesu Juva +

Matthew 28:16-20
Baptism of Easton Russell Roeber

Jesus has been given all authority in heaven and on earth.  Did you hear that?  Jesus has died.  Jesus has risen from the dead.  He has been given all authority. 

He is the author of the world’s salvation.  He did the Good Friday work.  Salvation’s achievement.  “It is finished.” 

And now He’s the author of salvation’s bestowing.  Salvation’s gifting.  The benefits of His Good Friday dying are given by the crucified but risen Savior.  Jesus is the author of Holy Baptism.  The authority of Holy Baptism comes from Him.  He instituted Baptism.  It’s His.  His gift.  His giving.  And so we properly say,  “Holy Baptism.”  After all, what’s holy is His. 

What All Authority in Heaven and Earth Jesus institutes, He does and gives.  Through means.  In this case through the men He puts into the Office of the Holy Ministry to be done in Christ’s Holy Church. 

So Landy and Meggan have brought Easton to receive from the All Authority in Heaven and Earth Jesus.  Good Friday and Easter Sunday Jesus is the Giver.  And He is the Gift.  For to be baptized in the Triune Name is to be baptized by the Lord Jesus Himself.  Where Jesus puts His Name there He is.  And He not there by Himself.  The Father’s there.  And so too the Holy Spirit with all His gifts.  Baptism, then,  is Jesus’ own act.  And not just His own acting but His own giving.

Easton was given the Triune Name in Holy Baptism.  God’s Triune Name is the gift of God Himself.  And not just any God but God the Father who created Easton, God the Son who died and rose for Easton, and God the Holy Spirit who rebirthed and regenerated Easton in the Worded-water of Holy Baptism.  God is totally for Easton and for you who are baptized in the Triune Name.  God lives and exists not for Himself, but for Easton and for you!  For your lives now.  And for your lives forevermore.

Jesus died for you.  Jesus died for Easton.  For all sinners.  And so Jesus mandates baptism for all.  “Make disciples of ALL NATIONS . . .”  Who would dare to exclude anyone from the “all nations” mandate of Jesus?  Not Landy and Meggan.  Not your parents.  Who would dare to say to Jesus “all nations” doesn’t include Easton, you, or me?   All are sinners.  All need Savior Jesus and His benefits.  And so He mandates:  “Make disciples of all nations by baptizing in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  

Faith receives what Jesus says.  Faith receives what Jesus gives.  And what He gives in Holy Baptism is the Triune Name.  So now Easton and all of you who are baptized belong to the one true Triune God.  You don’t belong to yourselves.  You’re His.  And everything that is His like:   “victory over death and the devil, forgiveness of sin, God’s grace, the entire Christ, and the Holy Spirit with all his gifts,” (LC V 461:42). 

So how do we use this gift of Holy Baptism?  Every day.  Draw strength and comfort from it when your sins, the devil, or a guilty conscience oppress you.  You use Baptism properly when you say:  “Yes, I have sinned.  Big time.  Against God.  Against my neighbor.  And I do deserve God’s temporal and eternal punishment.  But All Authority in Heaven and Earth Jesus died for me.  He took my sins in His Body on the Cross and answered for them.  And this Jesus who rose from the dead has baptized me into that very sin forgiving Good Friday death.  So sin, devil, and death, go see Jesus.  Leave me alone.  I am baptized.  And because I’m baptized I have Jesus’ promise that I am saved.  That I have eternal life in body and soul.” 

Happy Baptism Day Easton.  Happy living in your Baptisms every day dear members of Trinity.

In the Name of Jesus.