In the first panel we see once again the hand of God, here pouring water over what is below. Just as the hand of God symbolized creation in the very first panel, so here ‘too God’s hand represents the ‘new creation’ the new life which God gives to us in Baptism. Whenever our baptism took place, it is not just an event in our past-our baptism has implications for our life today. Our baptism means that every day we have a brand new opportunity, a fresh start, at following Christ; every day our sins and failures are taken away, and we are challenged anew to follow Christ’s example of sacrificial love. “We have died (to ourselves) through baptism with Christ in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too may live in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
Written by Tim & Alannah Hegedus, April 1996