Just as I normally do on any given Sunday I would often drop my wife off at the front entrance before parking the car. Last Sunday my wife and I decided to drive separately since she had to be at church earlier because of her choir commitment. So I took a seat inside the sanctuary saving a space for my wife to join me.
As I entered and sat down it was during the first ever morning baptism of several of our children and youth. Before each of their baptism a picture of them was seen overhead with a confession of their personal commitment to Jesus Christ.We knew most of these kids and were excited by their personal commitments they had made in their lives.
Straight ahead of me from where I sat was a mom cradling her new born baby. I watched how careful she was with her child, as though she was responsible for the most previous thing in all the world. She was. After all, she was caring for tomorrow's generation. At one point this new born babe looked at me. Her innocence was a reminder of another new born baby held and cradled by his mom, Mary, 2000 years ago. As I watched this earthly mom cradling her new born child I began reflecting on what must have gone through Mary's mind as she realized that the child she was holding would one day bring salvation to the world? Through the child she was cradling the Jewish people would no longer have to ritualistically present sacrifices at the altar. In this little child we would all be predestined and sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise.
In [q]Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also [r]believed, you were sealed in[s]Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is [t]given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.Ephesians 1.
The way of the world and the way of God oppose each other. In the world, it seems, men and woman are more impressed with others who are polished, well dressed, with degrees, and with a speech that is as slick as oil. God could have chosen to come in this manner, but instead he decided to come into the world in the form of a humble babe raised by a simple carpenter in a lowly hard working Jewish family. This child amazed the elders of the local synagogues with his knowledge of the Torah and as he grew he preached a message of hope of salvation.
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
God did not have to do what he did, but he knew that in order to convince the very people he created to come to him he needed to enter the world as a simple baby bringing hope as he grew into a young man.
Through the eyes of a child salvation comes Through the confessions of faith these children and youth made before their baptisms that morning seeds were being planted to those searching for hope that morning at New Hope Church. Through the eyes of a child salvation comes.
God did not have to do what he did, but he knew that in order to convince the very people he created to come to him he needed to enter the world as a simple baby bringing hope as he grew into a young man.
Through the eyes of a child salvation comes Through the confessions of faith these children and youth made before their baptisms that morning seeds were being planted to those searching for hope that morning at New Hope Church. Through the eyes of a child salvation comes.
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