Topic: John the Baptist
The Bible reading for February is the book of Matthew. Today’s reading is chapter three. In chapter three, Matthew introduces us to John the Baptist as an outspoken Old Testament prophet preaching in the wilderness with all kinds of people coming from Jerusalem to hear his message of repentance and baptism. The backstory of John the Baptist is in Luke chapter one.Matthew begins with John in the rugged, desert wilderness eating honey and wild locust. His clothing is made of camel hair. No doubt there is a connection to the prophet Elijah. Many people in that day thought John was the long-awaited Messiah. John made it clear that he was not the Messiah. In Matthew 3:11, John said, “I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” In the gospel of John 1:6-8, John also made it clear about John the Baptist, “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light but came to bear witness about the light.”
We know that John the Baptist was not the Christ, but he did call people to confess their sins, repent, and proclaim that they would follow God.
John stated in Matthew 3:11 that the Messiah (Jesus) would baptize people with the Holy Spirit and fire. John’s baptism of water only touches the surface, that’s it. We could say it was skin deep. While the work of the Holy Spirit would reach into the heart, spirit, mind and grab our whole being. The fire was meant to describe the fact that our being melts away and we are replaced with the Spirit of God. Which is why we are proclaimed as righteous by God, not because of who we are, but because of the saving work of Jesus and the Spirit who comes upon us in salvation.
The message of John the Baptist is still calling us to repentance and baptism. Today it is the baptism of the Holy Spirit upon repentance through Jesus and then baptism by water to give a testimony of new life in Jesus Christ through His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6).
See you Sunday!
Dr. Scott Kallem