The Bungee Cord. 12-12-23

Hello,

Let me start this week’s Bungee Cord with a word of thanks. Last week, the book was closed on the life of one who brought a blizzard of love and care to the world, my mom. Now a new book, the book of life as the Bible says, is now opened for her, and thanks be to God for his powerful love that not even death can keep that book shut. Thanks to all of you, too, who gave me the grace of your prayers.

My wife and I attend a small country church not too far from our house. Since Covid the weekly worship attendance has been around 30 people, but on this past Sunday it was over 60. The reason for the increase in attendance was the fact that two baptisms were to take place in the service. A man in his twenties and his infant daughter were be the recipients of God’s transformational grace. The first four pews, which are usually unoccupied as Lutherans tend to not want to get too close to the pastor (lol), were packed full of people sitting shoulder to shoulder. Family from all over the place had come to be part of this day of celebration.

In my tradition adult baptisms are a wonderful experience that doesn’t happen regularly because most are baptized when they are infants, so as to have God’s claiming grace shape their entire life. The daughter was first to be baptized, and as the pastor held her in his hands he poured the promise filled water over her head. Some children respond with crying, she only murmured. Then the pastor had the young man come over to the baptismal font. He reached into the water with a small shell, pulled out some water, and then stretched his arm out high and thrice poured the water on his head, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” The young man smiled.

Having been baptized and marked with the cross of Christ, forever, the mother carried her daughter back to the 2nd pew where they had been seated, and the young father followed. And as he passed the first pew, something happened that I have never seen before: the man, who was sitting in the first pew, a relative of similar age, raised his right hand as the young father passed by and gave the newly baptized a “high five” . I couldn’t see the face of the man sitting in the pew, but on the face of the newly baptized was a smile from ear to ear.

I’ve seen “high fives” exchanged between baseball players when someone hits a game winning homerun. I’ve seen “high fives” given between bowlers at a bowling alley at the roll of a strike. I’ve received “high fives” from little kids who are too shy or young to give a handshake. “High fives” are the mark of victory, congratulations, and welcome.

I saw all three of those things in that “high five” that was slapped in church. Far more conclusive than a walk off homerun is the eternal victory that we win when Christ’s words are poured over us and Jesus sends sin and death to their locker room, and locks the door behind them. Jesus, “high five”! Far more exciting is the bowling ball of God’s grace that toppled every pin that stands between God and us and sends them flying inter oblivion. Jesus, “high five”!

Far more heart-binding than any connection between family or friends is the cross bound relationship that God, in Jesus, has made with us as that cross is marked on our foreheads and we are sealed in God’s grace, forever. Jesus, “high five”!

It is my hope that the Bungee Cords break the barrier of space, and they bring us together. So, as you and I pass each other today in this Bungee Cord, see me lifting my right hand high into the air, and let’s give each other a divinely inspired “high five”!

Have a great week.

God’s grace and peace, (ggap)

Pastor Jerry Nuernberger

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