Grafting into the Tree of Israel

Today is a day of great joy for my family. Later this morning in the midst of the congregation of the faithful, Alice Elizabeth Thompson will be baptized, signifying the washing of her sin and her incorporation into the body of Christ.

The sacrament of Holy Baptism grafts us Gentiles into the tree of God's holy people Israel. And it does this through the One "who came preaching peace to us who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father" (Ephesians 2:17-18).

And thus, like all those of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus, after today little Alice will no longer be counted a stranger and sojourner, but she will be a fellow citizen with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Of this household Christ himself is the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and by whom it grows into a holy temple in the Lord. And now she will be knit into that blessed company, the church, and in her will be a dwelling place for God the Holy Spirit.

If God himself is for us, who can be against us? Today is a day of rejoicing.

Thanks be to God.

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"Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his." (Romans 6:3-5)

"For in Christ Jesus you are all children of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:26-29)

"From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once regarded Christ from a human point of view, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:16-17)