(Source from The Word Among Us)

Death no longer has power over him. (Romans 6:9)

It’s easy to skim over Paul’s words here. Of course death has no power over Jesus! He has already died and come back to life. But the power of Jesus’ resurrection did more than make him able to pass through walls and ascend into heaven. Paul also says that Jesus has “died to sin once and for all” (Romans 6:10, emphasis added). He isn’t the only one whose life has been changed. By his death and resurrection, he has destroyed the power of sin and death over everyone. And Baptism gives us access to all the blessings of his risen life!

Now, experience tells us that Baptism doesn’t mean that we can walk through walls as Jesus did. And it certainly doesn’t guarantee a life of sinless perfection. But it does release us from the permanence of sin and death.

Because Baptism washes us clean of original sin, we no longer live under a constant fear of God’s judgment. We can rejoice in the knowledge that “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). And when we do sin, we can quickly repent and come back into that freedom.

Because Baptism unites us with Jesus, the deathless one, we have the hope of a resurrection to the same eternal life that Jesus knows. Death is no longer a tragic end for us; it’s the doorway to a new, glorious beginning!

Because Baptism immerses us into Jesus’ own dying and rising, we are no longer hopelessly tethered to sin. We have received a new grace enabling us to say no to temptation whenever we choose. We are now free to “live in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

If this sounds too good to be true, be assured that it’s both very good and very true. Spend time today reading this passage over and over. Ask the Spirit to show you how you—yes, even you—are indeed set free from the power of sin and death!

“Jesus, I praise you! By your cross and resurrection, you have set me free!”