"Three Gifts Given For Us"
March 01, 2009
I Thessalonians 2:13 - And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the Word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the Word of God, which is at work in you believers.
Titus 3:5a - He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy.
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Most parents give their child small gifts from time to time, but when it comes to birthdays, parents tend to bring out the big gifts. Parents don't give gifts because their child has done anything to deserve them, but because the parents love them. What is true of earthly parents is all the more true with our heavenly Father!
In these two readings, we see three very big gifts given to us: Baptism, the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit. All three are distinct gifts graciously given to us by God. All three are distinct, but not inseparable. In our baptism, water is poured over our heads as the pastor speaks the Word of God to kill our sinful nature and raise us to new life in Christ. And yet it is God doing the baptizing, working by means of the pastor to give us the gift of new life. It is the gift of God to give us the Holy Spirit on our baptismal birthday through the Word. All three gifts work together to create in us a faith in Christ who saves us from the curse of sin. This is the greatest gift of all, one that cannot be purchased from any store, ordered online, or earned by any of our merits or hard work. These gifts didn't come because we asked for them. They come by the pure grace of God. It is the gift of God purchased for us with the blood of Jesus, the pure Lamb of God on the cross of Calvary. Christ was crucified for us so that the gifts of His crucifixion and resurrection could be given to us freely, according to His own mercy!
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gifts of Your Word, Your Spirit, and our Baptism. May these gifts always be at work in our lives as your children. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Written by Pastor Eric Edwards
Christ the Life Lutheran Church - Waukesha, Wisconsin
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