January 03, 2025 | Be God's Family
John the Baptist
Scripture: Matthew 3:1-17(NIV)
1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”
4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
11 “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. 12 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.”
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Devotional
In the Old Testament, God made many references to the coming Savior. The Old Testament also made three references to the one that will “prepare the way” for the Lord. He could have used fanfare and trumpets to announce Jesus’ arrival. But he chose to do it as he does many things - with an unlikely person.
He used John the Baptist. John lived in the wild. He ate locusts and wild honey.
Isaiah 40:3-5 says that through this one “the glory of the Lord shall be revealed.”
Malachi 3:1 says that this messenger will prepare the way before Me and the Lord will suddenly come to His temple.
People came from all over to confess their sins and be baptized by John. John tells them to repent. In Greek at this time, repent meant “to change one’s heart and mind”. John is asking them to open their hearts. John baptizes with water. But he tells of One who comes after him who is more powerful than him. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Jesus then asked to be baptized by John. John doesn’t want to baptize him as it is John that wants to be baptized by Jesus. Why must Jesus be baptized? “To fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus is confirming that John is the Messenger. John is the prophet sent to prepare the way mentioned in the Old Testament. Jesus is the Savior that they have been waiting for.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, the Heavens were opened. God spoke and declared “This is my Son, whom I love.” The work of John the Baptist was revealed and proven to be true. The prophecy is coming true. It is time for the world to receive Jesus in the flesh.
We spend the Advent season getting ready for the birth of Jesus. It’s important we also prepare ourselves for the teachings of Jesus through John the Baptist.
Poem
A Prayer
Psalm 51
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin…Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.”
Psalm 51:1-2,13
Have mercy! Have mercy!
I call on Your name
Forgiveness I beg you
Though nothing I claim
Your graciousness seeking
Though you seek me first
As deer to the river
I come with my thirst
There’s no hiding place from
Your all-knowing eye
So search me and know me
To You do I cry
Wash me in Your Jordan
Immerse me in love
Baptize now and claim me
A child of Your blood
Fill me with Your Spirit
Anoint and full reign
That I might then follow
Proclaiming Your name
As Your kingdom bursts forth
Love’s river does swell
As tongue is now loosened
Your good news I’ll tell
