I was standing up to leave a hospital room this evening and, as I was preparing to exit, the person I was visiting attempted to communicate with me. The family of the person uses a small white board to allow the person to communicate. He is completely cognizant, mentally.
So, the person began to slowly spell a word. First the letter “B,” then the letter “A,” then the letter “P…”
I looked at him and said, “baptize?”
He nodded, “Yes.”
I said, “Do you want to be baptized right now?”
Another nod, “Yes.”
This person will not, physically, be able to get to a baptism tank or even a large tub. (My church practices full immersion baptism.) But I believe God recognizes a willing and obedient heart.
So, there in the hospital—with a cup of water and a couple of family members present—a public proclamation of faith in the saving work of Jesus was affirmed. And we had a small, quiet—but very meaningful—baptism service.
Every now and then I am humbled and surprised at the interesting ways that Jesus works. He was with us in an ICU hospital room tonight. It was unexpected and deeply moving.
May Jesus be glorified!
