Jesus Links Baptism and the Cross

In one of St. John Chrysostom’s homilies, speaking of the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus in the third chapter of John’s gospel, he made a connection I had never thought of. He notices a mention of two great “benefactions” in this passage, Baptism and the Cross, and he understands their mention so close together to be significant.

There is a clear reference to Baptism when Christ says to Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” And then, the Cross is very intentionally referenced just a few verses later when he says, “just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, thus it is necessary that the Son of Man be lifted up.”

In his homily, Chrysostom mentions where Paul also sets these two together when writing to the Corinthians: “Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” Of course, just mentioning these two together, in and of itself, is not terribly significant, but he sees their mention as a Christ pointing us toward the two most important ways Christ shows us his love:

“For these two things most of all declare His unspeakable love, that He both suffered for His enemies, and that having died for His enemies, He freely gave to them by Baptism entire remission of their sins.”

Baptism is the beginning of our life in Christ; the Cross is the daily working out of that life in Christ. Yes, Christ was here speaking of his own crucifixion, but he also tells us to take up our cross and follow him. Thus, in becoming little Christs, we are born into him through Baptism, then we live in him by joining in his sufferings, taking up our own cross, and following him in the same manner.