Baptized

September 19–Matthew 1-3

“Now in those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. . .and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan river, as they confessed their sins” (3:1-2, 6)

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I. . .He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire”(3:11).

Congratulations! We made it. After a nine month journey through the Old Testament, today we begin reading the New!

We will slow down a bit. I know, I know. . .THREE pages per day, but the weight of these words warrants a slower step for the next few months. Take time in these chapters! Listen! Reflect! Learn!

The New Testament begins with an announcement. Out in the wilderness, away from the politics and the noise of Jerusalem, comes the “voice” of John the Baptist. An unexpected message for Israel. The Messiah was coming!

Urgent news, and hopeful. The people were to prepare by confessing their sins (exomologeo, ex (out) homo (same) logeo (speak), “to speak out the same word, to agree with God”). The outward sign of this new inner agreement (and of the promised consequent cleansing) was baptism.

Baptizo is a Greek word that meant to immerse. To dip. As a cloth is pressed down into a vat of dye until it takes on the quality (identity) of its new environment, so the human soul is pressed down into water (for outward cleansing), into the Spirit (for inward cleansing).

Baptism is, therefore, a picture of an invisible work. Christ baptizes those who come to Him. By giving them the Holy Spirit, He changes their identity and nature. New software installed. A new inner equation of the soul with dramatically new outcomes.

We are not passive recepients in this much-needed miracle. Just as John called the people of Israel to repent (metanoia, meta, (again), noia, (to think), “to think again, to reconsider and arrive at a new opinion”. So Christ calls His people. Deep and honest moral inventory, is required. With humility and hope, we confess how mixed-up we have been, how false and selfish our thoughts. We accept the task of rethinking life from a God center.

Christian baptism pictures our union with Christ! Once we were independent. Alone. Now, by the Spirit, Christ Himself is the new environment into which we are immersed! We are IN Christ. “Do you not know that those who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death. . .If we are united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.” See Romans 6:3,5.

Friend, as we begin reading the New Testament, may I ask you a question? Have you been baptized? Outwardly and inwardly? Is YOUR life joined to Christ in permanent powerful union? His righteousness yours? Your will and heart His? The very heart of the gospel is a clear call. Repent! Be baptized!

“Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead. . .so we too might walk in newness of life!” (Romans 6:4).