“In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven, has come near.’” Matthew 3:2
“People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.” Matthew 3:5-6
John’s baptism served two purposes: it prepared the nation for Jesus, and it presented Jesus to the nation.
The essence of John’s message to the people was “repent”. Repentance is more than being sorry for sins. It means calling sin what God calls it, and turning from the sin. It is a change of mind that results in a changed life. My favorite definition of repentance came from a child: “being sorry enough for sin to quit doing it.”
In Israel, Gentiles who wished to embrace Judaism were baptized. But, for Jews to be baptized as a sign of forgiveness of sins was unheard of before John the Baptist. Many of them saw no need to be forgiven. After all, they were God’s chosen people, and they kept the law. Surely, they thought, we don’t need to confess and be baptized. But John had some harsh words for these proud Jews. He made it very plain to them that no one will receive salvation based on his or her ancestry. Each person must come to Christ in repentance and faith to be saved.
John looked forward to the revelation of the Messiah. He said of the coming One, “I baptize you with water for repentance, But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matthew 3:11
God Himself authenticated His Son and His ministry at Jesus’ baptism. When Jesus came up out of the water, the Spirit of God descended like a dove and lighted on Jesus, and a voice from heaven said, “This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17
If John’s baptism was a sign of repentance for sin, and Jesus was sinless, why was He baptized? Several reasons:
Jesus' obedience in baptism gave God an opportunity to authenticate Jesus and His ministry. It introduced the Messiah to Israel and inaugurated Jesus’ ministry. It gave us an example to follow.
Father, thank You for Jesus’ baptism, His identification with us, Your authentication of Him and His ministry--one more credential for Your Son. May we be careful to repent whenever we sin. Amen.
The essence of John’s message to the people was “repent”. Repentance is more than being sorry for sins. It means calling sin what God calls it, and turning from the sin. It is a change of mind that results in a changed life. My favorite definition of repentance came from a child: “being sorry enough for sin to quit doing it.”
In Israel, Gentiles who wished to embrace Judaism were baptized. But, for Jews to be baptized as a sign of forgiveness of sins was unheard of before John the Baptist. Many of them saw no need to be forgiven. After all, they were God’s chosen people, and they kept the law. Surely, they thought, we don’t need to confess and be baptized. But John had some harsh words for these proud Jews. He made it very plain to them that no one will receive salvation based on his or her ancestry. Each person must come to Christ in repentance and faith to be saved.
John looked forward to the revelation of the Messiah. He said of the coming One, “I baptize you with water for repentance, But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matthew 3:11
God Himself authenticated His Son and His ministry at Jesus’ baptism. When Jesus came up out of the water, the Spirit of God descended like a dove and lighted on Jesus, and a voice from heaven said, “This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17
If John’s baptism was a sign of repentance for sin, and Jesus was sinless, why was He baptized? Several reasons:
- To identify with us in our humanity.
- To validate the ministry of John the Baptist.
- To obey that which was obviously a part of God’s plan for His Son.
Jesus' obedience in baptism gave God an opportunity to authenticate Jesus and His ministry. It introduced the Messiah to Israel and inaugurated Jesus’ ministry. It gave us an example to follow.
Father, thank You for Jesus’ baptism, His identification with us, Your authentication of Him and His ministry--one more credential for Your Son. May we be careful to repent whenever we sin. Amen.
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