ZACHARY'S NOTES:
Stanza 1 // When Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit - like the wind - “blows where it chooses” and “[we] do not know where [He] comes from or where [He] goes…” we may have as many questions as Nicodemus, or even a few more! This hymn calms the questions of our mind and heart with a Word: “This” - here - “is the Spirit’s entry” - the “water and the Word.” The Holy Spirit is found in baptism, where we are joined forever to Jesus’ “cross” - His death and resurrection. As if to emphasize the issue twice, this stanza says this promise is both “felt and heard” - that is, in “water and Word.”
Stanza 2 // This stanza reminds us the Trinity is at work in water and Word. The Father who gave us and all things life or “breath” gives us this gift of “life reborn” in the sinless One from whom we “tore [all] life” and crucified. Our promise of death and resurrection is sure because of Jesus Christ, by whose death, we are given life.
Stanza 3 // This stanza might make us nervous, especially after Jesus spends a significant portion of time trying to explain the benefits of Baptism as water and Word applied to the sinner. But to be baptized also means we live in the world each day with all of the frustrating difficulties of life - and God’s promise has something to say even here! “Daily” our “sinful self, with all its evil deeds and desires should be drowned through daily repentance…and a new self should arise to live with God in righteousness and purity forever.” God “designs” Holy Baptism to do this!
Stanza 4 // How can we pray for the Spirit to “cleanse again” when we are already baptized? Just as the Spirit “calls [and] gathers” us in faith, so the Spirit “keeps” us in the promise God gives. This promise is not only once - but for all time!
OTHER SUGGESTIONS
ELW 448 - This Is the Spirit’s Entry Now - LAND OF REST
ELW 323 - God Loved the World - ROCKINGHAM OLD
ELW 410 - All Glory Be to God on High - ALLEIN GOTT IN DER HÖH
ELW 412 - Come, Join the Dance of Trinity - KINGSFOLD
ELW 413 - Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty! - NICAEA
ELW 414 - Holy God, We Praise Your Name - GROSSER GOTT
ELW 442 - All Who Believe and Are Baptized - ES IST DAS HEIL
ELW 448 - This Is the Spirit’s Entry Now - LAND OF REST
ELW 451 - We Are Baptized in Christ Jesus - OUIMETTE
ELW 456 - Baptized in Water - BUNESSAN
ELW 527 - Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now - HERR JESU CHRIST, DICH ZU UNS WEND
ELW 660 - Lift High the Cross - CRUCIFER
ELW 666 - What Wondrous Love Is This - WONDROUS LOVE
ELW 848 - Give to Our God Immortal Praise! - DUKE STREET
LBW 192 - Baptized into Your Name Most Holy - O DASS ICH TAUSEND ZUNGEN HÄTTE
LBW 194 - All Who Believe and Are Baptized - ES IST DAS HEIL
LBW 195 - This Is the Spirit’s Entry Now - PERRY
LBW 292 - God Loved the World - DIE HELLE SONN LEUCHT
LBW 377 - Lift High the Cross - CRUCIFER
LBW 385 - What Wondrous Love Is This - WONDROUS LOVE
LBW 520 - Give to Our God Immortal Praise! - DUKE STREET
LSB 543 - What Wondrous Love Is This - WONDROUS LOVE
LSB 571 - God Loved the World So That He Gave - st. crispin
LSB 590 - Baptized into Your Name Most Holy - O DASS ICH TAUSEND ZUNGEN HÄTTE (DRETZEL)
LSB 591 - This Is the Spirit’s Entry Now - DAMASCUS ROAD
LSB 601 - All Who Believe and Are Baptized - ES IST DAS HEIL
LSB 837 - Lift High the Cross - CRUCIFER
RH 12 - Give to Our God Immortal Praise! - DUKE STREET
RH 74 - We Are Baptized in Christ Jesus - OUIMETTE
RH 75 - All Who Believe and Are Baptized - ES IST DAS HEIL
RH 254 - What Wondrous Love Is This - WONDROUS LOVE
RH 269 - Lift High the Cross - CRUCIFER
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