Thursday, August 12, 2010

Shall We Gather At The River

In Jesus' day, people would gather at the Jordan River to be baptized.     It was one of the most public places there was.    When you were baptized there everyone saw and everyone knew that you were making a statement.     You were definitely saying in front of everyone, "God, I belong to you.   Satan, I DON'T belong to you.  Church, I belong with you."   

This Saturday, our Big Guy is going to be part of a very special baptism service that is being held by our church youth ministry.     He and about 11 other students will be baptized in the reservoir.   

Baptism... it is a holy event.    That moment of going under the water is like a death.   A death of your old life.    But when you break through the water into the sunlight and air you receive your new life.      

So Saturday we will be gathering at the reservoir and taking off our shoes because we will be on holy ground.

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in
order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of
the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4

2 comments:

Patti Lacy said...

oh, praise God, Deanna!!!!

Our son got baptized last year at aged 21. My heart liked to burst from happiness.

Seize the day.
Patti

Stacy at Exceedingly Mundane said...

How wonderful! Baptism is such a special time, and I had no idea that any of the local churches used the reservoir. How cool! Late stopping by, but I'm sure yesterday was a great day for him, as well as your whole family :)