“You Can’t Touch Me, I Have Been Baptized”

January 11, 2025

Dear Families of Grace Members, Neighbors & Early Learning Center Families,

“You can’t touch me. I’ve been baptized!” I wish we could say those words to the struggles and difficulties that we all have to face in my life, “You can’t touch me. I’ve been baptized!” But, this is not how baptism works.

Baptism does not eliminate our difficulties, fix our problems, take away the pain, or change the circumstances of our lives. Instead, it changes us and offers a way through those difficulties, problems, and circumstances and ultimately, a way through death. Baptism transcends our biological existence and offers us a new way of being – one that is neither limited by nor suffers from our “createdness.”

Through baptism we no longer live according to the biological laws of nature but by relationship with God, who as the Prophet Isaiah says, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” That means when we pass through the waters of sorrow and difficulty, God is with us. The rivers that can drown will not overwhelm us. The flames that can destroy will not consume us. For he is the Lord our God, the Holy one of Israel, our Savior. (Isaiah 43:1-7)

To know this, to trust this, and to experience this is the gift of baptism. Sunday’s Gospel from Luke 3:21-22 says: “Now, when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And, a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Jesus’ baptism is for our sake and salvation. His baptism makes our baptism possible.

Ritually, we are baptized only once. Yet, throughout our life, we dip our hands in holy water, we return living our baptismal vows daily. We confess our belief in Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, because God first believed in us and chose us. We continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers because the Holy Spirit has descended upon us and filled us. We proclaim the Word of God and live as an example of the Good News of God in Christ because we have heard the voice from heaven declare to us that we are God’s beloved children in whom he is well pleased. This is what our baptism means – when all seems lost - there is life, there is hope, there is another way to live, and yes, believing in God - being marked with the cross of Christ means living forever.

You see, there really is truth to those words, “You can’t touch me. I’ve been baptized!” The question for us becomes: “Do you and I believe those words? Can you say and claim those words for yourself? May your baptism give ypu that kind of faith and hope today and always.

As you continue to be grounded in your baptism vows each day, consider “coming to Grace this Epiphany Season!” and be part of this congregation that is filled with prayer, fun, laughter and our love for Jesus! Experience the presence of Jesus in the Holy Sacrament. All come at Jesus’ invitation – young and old, the assured and the doubting, the wise and the foolish, and the in-between. All are welcome here! Come to the Feast!

Blessings and peace,

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Grace Lutheran Church

254 Curtiss Parkway

The Reverend David O. Guss, Ph.D.
Miami Springs FL 33166

Pastor – Grace Lutheran Church
305-888-2871