October 13, 2026
Today's Reading: Ephesians 4:22-28
Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 11:26-12:12; Matthew 12:22-37
“to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
You might have heard your pastor use the phrase “put to death the Old Adam,” or, when explicitly applied to baptism, “drowning the Old Adam.” Such violent imagery might shock us, especially if we have never heard it before. But that’s really what is happening in our day-to-day life, and it’s what is happening in our reading from the epistle to the Ephesians today. The “old self” called the “Old Adam” by Martin Luther, is the natural state of man. Man is born at odds with God, wanting to serve only one being, himself. Turning away from God’s will for his creation, he does whatever he wants, which is to say, sins. This is at all stages of life, every day, in all conditions. Sin is fun, sin is sweet, sin might help you get ahead and get what you want, but sin also breaks stuff. Sometimes, it literally breaks stuff when it destroys things. It breaks up relationships, it breaks bonds of love between friends, between children and parents, and between you and God. Sin breaks stuff. And so sin, and the old Adam that goes with it, has to be killed. Drowned, in fact. That “old self” and “former manner of life?” Drowned in your baptism. Forgiven by God. Paid for by Jesus.
What went into that font was a wretched, sinful, rebellious creature. What came out was a saint washed clean. And this washing is a lifelong gift. This washing is an event that you can come back to (yes, even if you don’t remember it. Chances are you don’t, as you were probably really small when it happened.) It is this washing that signifies to the devil, the world, and your sinful flesh that you are one called by name, and washed clean of that old Adam, and that you are a new self, created after the likeness of God.
When the devil tries to hit you with guilt, shame, and the “what about?” Tell him it was all drowned in the font.
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Merciful Father, through Holy Baptism You called us to be Your own possession. Grant that our lives may evidence the working of Your Holy Spirit in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, according to the image of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Rev. Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.
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