Tangible Grace

This weekend, as we continue our series on Simply Grace, we move to two simple, yet transforming ways in which God touches us with that grace: Baptism and Communion.

In the Lutheran Church we see Baptism and Communion as Sacraments. Luther used the following criteria to determine what a sacrament is: 1) It is commanded by Jesus. 2) It has an earthly means. 3) It has a divine gift attached to it.

Jesus commands that his followers be baptized and regularly receive communion. Both use an earthly means--baptism uses water and communion uses wine/grape juice and bread. And both have a divine promise attached to it. In other words, baptism and communion are more than symbols. God actually does something to us when we are baptized. He adopts us into his family. He forgives us. He fills us with his Spirit. When we receive Communion, it is more than a symbolic act. God tangibly confers forgiveness on us. God embraces us with his mercy and kindness. God is active, doing something life-giving through the earthly means of water and wine and bread.

(This helps explain why Lutherans don't see marriage as a sacrament, for example. Jesus doesn't command us to get married. There is no earthly means like water attached to it. Having said that, Lutherans do believe that marriage is a gift of God and that God promises to be a part of the marriage.)

Baptism and Communion, therefore, are tangible expressions of grace--both are a means of grace.

This Sunday we will focus on the touch of grace--Baptism. Next Sunday, January 27 on the taste of grace--communion.