Baptism is no small matter. It isn’t a quaint little ceremony conducted in the privacy of your own home. It isn’t encrypted so as to conceal its contents from prying eyes. It isn’t tucked away in the gun safe to remain hidden from sight. Each baptism is bigger than the individual being baptized. It is bigger than all of us gathered here. Of course, for each individual, baptism is the gateway into the covenant, and in that sense the way is narrow. You must come through these waters which signify Christ, or not come at all.
But this sign is vast, because it signifies to us that which is without border or bound, roof or floor. God gives us language, and revealed His covenant to us in the Word, but as if to help us understand that even language cannot contain all the glory He gave us this sign. This baptismal font signifies the ocean of God’s infinite tender-mercies, His grace, His covenant love, and His abundant life. We must each come to Him in faith, as individuals; however, He reminds us in this sign that His Word and Sacraments are greater far in glory, splendor, and goodness than all we could imagine. Here is covenant love, vast as the ocean.
So welcome our sister to Jesus Christ…
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