Did you forget that all of us became part of Christ Jesus when we were baptized? In our baptism we shared in his death. So when we were baptized, we were buried with Christ and took part in his death. And just as Christ was raised from death by the wonderful power of the Father, so we can now live a new life.

I was just eight years old, but I had made up my mind. I wanted to be baptized. I stood in the water and confessed Jesus as Savior and Lord and was baptized that evening. It was December of 1981, and I embarked on a journey that I’ve never regretted. I didn’t understand very much about it, but I knew that I wanted to do it. Here I am, some 40+ years later, and I still don’t regret it and I never will. Though I have failed and faltered along the way of this journey of faith, God has never failed me. I think back on that December night and thank the Lord for what He’s done for me.

There is so much beauty in baptism, isn’t there? There is the washing away of our sins (Acts 22:16). There is the receiving of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). There is the pledge of a clear conscience toward God (1 Peter 3:21). Finally, there is the uniting with Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection as it says in our verses for today. When we are baptized, we are spiritually united with Jesus in the Easter story.

We are spiritually united with Jesus in His death. He died the death we deserved. Now, because of His sacrifice, we don’t have to endure such a death. We are spiritually united with Jesus in His burial. Just as His burial was only temporary, ours will be temporary as well. Why? It is because we are spiritually united with Jesus in His resurrection! We have the promise of resurrection, too! Jesus didn’t stay in the grave, and by God’s grace through faith in His Son, we will not stay in our graves.

Friends, baptism is a beautiful sacrament from God that spiritually unites us with His Son, Jesus, in His death, burial, and resurrection. Just as Jesus was raised to life, so too will we be raised forever. What a day of rejoicing that will be! Happy Resurrection Day!

By Shawn Cornett, Bible League International staff, Indiana U.S.