Summary:
John the Baptist preached in the Desert of Judea, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." (Verse 2) This fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 40:3, which says, 'A voice of once calling in the desert, "Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him." ' (Verse 3b)
He wore clothes of camel's hair and a leather belt. He ate locusts and wild honey. People from Jerusalem, Judea, and the Jordan went out to him, confessing their sins, and being baptized by him in the Jordan River.
The Pharisees and Sadducees approached, and he called them a brood of vipers. He asked who had warned them to flee the coming wrath. He said, "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance." (Verse 8) John told them that they couldn't use 'Abraham is our father' as justification for their actions. God could raise up children for Abraham from the stones. The ax was at the root of the trees, and those that did not produce good fruit would be cast into the fire.
" 'I baptize you with water for repentance. But, after me will come One who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will clear His threshing floor, gathering His wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.' " (Verses 11-12)
The Baptism of Jesus
Verses 13-17
Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan, to be baptized by John. John said that Jesus should be the one to baptize him. Jesus said that it was proper for John to baptize Him, to fulfull all righteousness. John obeyed.
When Jesus came out of the water, heaven was opened. The Spirit of God descended like a dove with lighting on Him. A voice from heaven said, " 'This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.' " (Verse 17b)
Lori's Thoughts:
When I was little and heard the story of John the Baptist, I took it literally. I envisioned a man removing debris from a narrow pathway and Jesus approaching. Now I understand it more clearly. John was preparing our hearts to accept Christ. The pathways to our hearts were cluttered with sin. Through baptism, we receive forgiveness and we open ourselves up to receiving Jesus.
Once we accept Him, the sanctification process begins. Christ deposits the Holy Spirit to guide us on a path of righteousness. He baptizes us with fire to help us let go of our sinful human nature. This is what helps us bear good fruit. Instead of pleasuring ourselves, we love and care for others, helping them come to know Christ.
The Pharisees and Sadducees believed that they were saved because they were ancestors of Abraham. They were pious and self-righteous rather than dependent upon God. John the Baptist was a revolutionary man. He reminds me of a hippie. He lived off the land and was all about peace. He and Jesus taught salvation by grace, not works. The Old Testament covenant displayed the imperfection of humans. But, the Pharisees and Sadducees believed themselves to be perfect by heritage, thus of a higher class than non-Jews.
However, Christ showed us how everyone can obtain salvation. No requirement has been given to us that He did not go through. That's why He was baptized. Not because He needed forgiveness, for He was sinless, but because He wanted to relate to us and set an example for us. Later, He died for us, carrying everyone's sins but His own, for He had none. By these actions, He fulfilled the old covenant and bridged the gap between us and God.
Now, how cool was God's reaction to Christ's baptism? He let His Son know that He loved Him and was proud of Him. What a boost of confidence it must have given the human Christ. I believe that when God is proud of His children, He sheds some of His light on us as well.
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