Listen to this devotion
Same but Different
In the Word
… when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you … (1 Peter 3: 20b–21a).
Of the Word
Both Holy Baptism and the great flood of Noah’s day involve water. St. Peter compares them in his epistle. They are alike in that both provide a cleansing.
But they are very different in purpose. The great flood was a flood of wrath. The waters from the sky and from the fountains of the deep killed every living thing outside the ark that housed Noah’s family.
Holy Baptism is a flood of God’s grace that saves us from sin, death, and the devil. It does much more than giving us clean skin. It washes away the grime of sin, giving us a clean spirit. Jesus proclaims, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved …” (Mark 16:16a).
Walking with my Lord
Almighty God, in the waters of the great flood, You saved Noah and his family from destruction. Through Baptism You have saved me from sin. Hold me as Your child and keep me safe until the end. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Mustard Seed: Water of Life. Michael Heckmann, author. 18/28 ©2013 Lutheran Women’s 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 ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
