He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. – Colossians 2:15

Scripture reading: Colossians 2:13-15

Baptism not only reminds us of our burial and resurrection with the Lord Jesus Christ, it also reminds us that God, with the Flood, drowned the whole known world except Noah and his family, and with the waters of the Red Sea, drowned the obstinate Pharaoh and his army.

Baptism was signified by these two events showing us that it is both a violent and a gracious event; violent because it shows us we need to die to our old nature because we are conceived and born in sin and by nature children of wrath and cannot enter the kingdom of heaven unless we die, like the people of the Flood and Pharaoh with his army, and are born again. It is a gracious event because it shows that, just like God saved Noah and his family and led Israel through the Red Sea, so our old nature has been buried with Christ and raised to newness of life in Him.

Paul reminds the Colossians of the violence and grace in their baptism, stating that it not only is a sign and seal of their having died and risen with Christ, but also a sign and seal of God having disarmed the rulers and authorities by triumphing over them in Christ. With His death on the cross, He defeated all earthly and demonic powers that want to hold us captive and triumphed over them as His resurrection and ascension demonstrated. Baptism is a powerful illustration that we are included in this violent and gracious victory.

Suggestions for prayer

Ask your heavenly Father to help you remember that your baptism is an illustration that you have been freed in Christ from enslaving powers.

This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Dick Moes is pastor emeritus of the Surrey Covenant Reformed Church in Surrey, BC.