Noah, a proto-Bezalel, crafts an ark of wood under the instruction of Yahweh. Revilers mock as the clangs of the hammer ring out across the land.

A family is in the ark with the hope of the world. A man persecuted for trusting in Yahweh builds a home of safety in the midst of terror.

Christ is declared the new creation in his baptism. But three years later he is outside the ark, under the terror of God's wrath, in anguish. The pounding hammers again. A new ark is here, as the carpenter's son is fastened to the wood.

Noah and his family entered through the door in the side of the ark, through the ribs. In Christ's death his side is opened and the bride joins with her husband, a bride formed from the rib of the second Adam, blood and water pouring forth.

Christ turns his gaze to the evil ones around him. Will he strike them down? Instead: "Father, forgive them." He lifts a man in agony on the cross beside him into the ark at the last possible moment, promising paradise.

The flood that destroyed Jesus lifted up the ark of the church in safety.

The waters subside. The dove descends as new creation dawns. The one who went under the flood is raised. He ascends from the grave to the clouds, to the right hand of the Father, and from there he pours out baptismal rain on his chosen ones. The judgment has passed. The new world is here.

We are those people. Baptism now saves you, for it is your appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Lay hold of it this Easter season without shame. You have been baptized, which means you need not fight the world with the world's tools. Suffer as a Christian. Glorify God. Share in Christ's sufferings and do not revile in return. Entrust your soul to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Jesus is our greater Noah, constructing an ark of his own body for us to call home. Of course baptism saves us, for Yahweh saves.