What Sign Did Jesus Give Us To Set Apart God’s People?

The Simple Catechism #20

What Sign Did Jesus Give Us To Set Apart God’s People?

Baptism.

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Story summary

In this simple catechism lesson, Red, Joy, and Barbara lead a lost sheep back to its owner. They notice that the sheep is marked with its owner’s name and remember that Christians are also marked and set apart for Christ through baptism.

Ephesians 4:4-5

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

What Did We Learn?

Today we learned that a mark is what shows to whom something belongs.
In the desert, Wooliam had a mark that pointed to his shepherd. It did not make him a sheep, and it did not make him important. It simply showed the truth that was already real. He belonged to someone.
In the Bible, God says His people belong to Him. He calls them by name. He says they are His. And He does not forget them or lose them.
That is why Jesus gave His church a sign. Baptism is not a hidden message or a secret symbol. It is a visible sign that tells the world, “This person belongs to Jesus Christ.”
This mark is made with water. But when our hearts trust in Jesus there's another baptism. It's a spiritual baptism and an invisible mark that only God can see.
So how do we know who as the invisible mark? Jesus says His sheep know His voice. He has marked our hearts to follow Him.
That is the meaning of one Lord, one faith, one baptism. An outward mark with water, but also an inward mark that causes are hearts to follow Jesus.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You that You call Your people by name and never lose those who belong to You.
Thank You for the gift of baptism that shows we are Yours in Christ.
Help us to trust Your voice and follow You faithfully all our days.
In Jesus’ Name we pray,
Amen.