#Jesus22 - Daily DevotionalsSample

This week, we have read about the doorstep covenant over and over again. A covenant that says that everything that happens in this house is under the protection of God. In the oriental culture, there were many covenants; they had one thing in common: they always had something to do with blood and with animal sacrifices.

As I wrote yesterday, I am very happy to live in the New Covenant. The covenants we now make with God do away with bloodthirsty rituals. One of these covenants is baptism. In Romans chapter 6, Paul talks about baptism and strikingly often he uses words from legal language. By this he means to say that through baptism we legally bind ourselves to Jesus Christ.

Physically, baptism is a very uncomplicated ritual, in any case significantly less complex than the doorstep covenant. It consists of two actions: diving down and surfacing. If only the first one happens, you have a serious problem. In today's passage, we learn exactly what happens at baptism. Romans 6:3 and the first part of 6:4 show the act of diving down: this symbolizes the death of Jesus. We died with Him. What does this mean? First, we acknowledge that Jesus' death is central to us. We are saved, we are forgiven, we live in a relationship with the Father in heaven. On the other hand, we express that our selfishness should also die and that we are now dying for God's purposes and no longer primarily for our own lives.

Then to the act of resurfacing: this act is described in the second part of verse 4 and in verse 5. We have not only died with Jesus, but also risen with Him. His power lives in us. We are filled with the Holy Spirit. We have access to the glory of God. Share in His peace and joy. Powerful!

ACTION STEP FOR THOSE WHO ARE BAPTIZED

Take time to reflect on your baptism. Do you have a certificate? A baptismal verse? Have a look at it. Thank God for your baptism and say that you want to die and rise with Him anew.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT YET BAPTIZED

What is holding you back? If you are unsure, take the time to talk about it with someone who has already taken this step.

If nothing prevents you, register today for the next baptism in your church.