Devotional thoughts for Thursday

Thursday 12. March 2015

Oculi

20. Day of Lent 

And a Voice descended from heaven: "You are My Beloved Son; I am well pleased with You." (Mark 1,11) 

We are half-way through our journey through Lent. Today we focus on our Baptismal Window. 

Jesus was baptized on our behalf in order to fulfill all righteousness. He joined Himself to sinners and received a sinner's baptism from John the Baptizer. His Father is well pleased with Him. 

John's baptism was a baptism of repentance and amendment of life. Jesus had no need to repent or amend His life, but He is nevertheless baptized because we need to repent and amend our wicked ways. 

We know that God is faithful and forgiving. Just as He saved Noah from the destruction of the Flood through the ark, so our baptism in the Triune Name saves us. Just as the ark of the covenant parted the Red Sea and Israel marched across to freedom and safety, so our baptism frees us from sin and is the sacrament that promises safe journey in the promised land of paradise and heaven. 

Prayer: O LORD, mercifully receive the prayers of Your people who call upon You and grant that they both perceive and know what things they ought to do and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfill the same; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.