Carl Trueman's always worth reading.
Only the dead can be resurrected. As the second thief on the cross saw so clearly, Christ’s kingdom is entered through death, not by escape from it. Traditional Protestantism saw this, connecting baptism not to washing so much as to death and resurrection. Protestant liturgies made sure that the law was read each service in order to remind the people that death was the penalty for their sin. Only then, after the law had pronounced the death sentence, would the gospel be read, calling them from their graves to faith and to resurrection life in Christ. The congregants thereby became vicarious participants in the great drama of salvation.
Such things weight on my mind more as I get older (though I don't intend to croak any time soon).
Well said.
Thank you for this. Becoming a Christian in college, and still in the Lutheran church, the liturgy took on a new significance and beauty for me, as I was truly praising the LORD in worship for the first time.
I hardly ever post, but do check and read posts on GRPL. Thank you for the ping to GRPL. Blessings !