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Drinking the Discipline
In the Word
He took the calf that they had made and burned it with fire and ground it to powder and scattered it on the water and made the people of Israel drink it (Exodus 32:20).
Of the Word
Children β even adults β are often disciplined for bad behavior. The greater the sin, the more severe the discipline. At the foot of Mount Sinai, the sinful behavior of the Israelites brought about a severe discipline. When Moses returned from talking with God, he saw the golden calf they had made and was furious. He burned the idol, ground it up, scattered it on their water, and made them drink it.
The sins of the Israelites had polluted their whole being. The same is true for us: sin has polluted us. The psalmist says, there is none who does good (Psalm 14:1b).
But thanks be to God, His only Son, Jesus Christ, is good! By His death and resurrection, He has cleansed our sin-polluted bodies. In Baptism our sins are washed away and we are made pure and clean. By faith, we are righteous in His sight.
Walking with my Lord
Righteous One, You have given Your blessings to me through Baptism. Even though I still sin, remind me that I am forgiven and righteous because of the saving work of Jesus, my Savior. In His name I pray. Amen.
Mustard Seed: Water of Life. Michael Heckmann, author. 7/28 Β©2013 Lutheran Womenβs Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright Β©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
