Article for January 12, 2025
Luke 3:15–16 15As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, 16John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.
The people at this time in the life of Jesus knew a savior has come to them. This is the branch of David and the rod of Jesse they have been looking for. Many of the people had already witnessed false prophets who claimed to be the long-anticipated messiah. So, it was not like they had forgotten the promise of a savior.
The people awaiting to be baptized asked, is John the Baptist just another false prophet, is he, Elijah returning from being swept up into the clouds or is he the true messiah? Theudas and Judas the Galilean were two who came claiming to be the messiah (Acts 5: 34-39). Those who followed the false prophets who died later dispersed and now look for the real Messiah to come. Neither of these, that is, a false prophet, or being the messiah are true about John. Except that John the Baptist is a prophet and the one calling in the wilderness (Isaiah 40:3).
John the Baptist straightforwardly answered all the questions that were being asked. Those who waited their turn to experience this baptism of repentance and forgiveness were hoping that maybe this one calling in the wilderness would be or would announce the coming of the long-awaited Messiah. John made sure the crowd gathered around him knew he was just a prophet and though he baptized for repentance and forgiveness there was one mightier than he. This meant that the Messiah is coming, and the crowd would know it is not John the Baptist who is the prophet and the one calling in the wilderness.
Luke 3:16–17 He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Jesus came to where the people were gathered to be baptized by John the Baptist. However, Jesus did not come to baptize, but rather to be baptized. This might seem strange until you see the dove descending onto Jesus. This was to mark Jesus as the long-awaited savior, the one they heard rumors about now revealed and seen by many.
Jesus came to change baptism forever. Not that we are just baptized by water for repentance and forgiveness of sins, but now we are being baptized through the Holy Spirit and with fire. The Holy Spirit sanctifies us, that is what makes us holy. We who are baptized are the wheat to be gathered by our Lord Jesus Christ.
We will be gathered to Jesus and into our eternal lives when Jesus returns. When Jesus returns, all the wheat will be taken to the barn, that is heaven and eternal life. But those who oppose Jesus, don’t believe Jesus is our savior, worship the devil and false gods will find themselves in the unquenchable fire, that is, the bottomless pit. The fire consumes the chaff and the wheat remains unharmed.
Baptized by fire would be like that of purification. The chaff burns away and what is left is the property of the Holy Spirit as He makes us holy, unblemished, and ready for the clothing we will receive through Jesus’ righteousness. White is the suit of the day, the new garment of choice, the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
Luke 3:18 18So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. 19But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, 20added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.
Like John the Baptist, the apostles that will follow Jesus will find out that following Jesus has dreary consequences. John will soon be locked up and unfortunately beheaded. Death cannot be proud because like all the forgiven John the Baptist will also be saved through the suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord and his Lord Jesus Christ the true upside of following Jesus the Christ.
Luke 3:21-22 21Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, 22and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
Imagine being in a crowd around a river. Imagine being baptized, and seeing the Lord Jesus Christ stepping into the water you just stood in. Imagine Jesus Christ’s baptism and seeing the Holy Spirit descend upon Him like a dove. Hear the voice from above announcing His very Son to all around. “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
Imagine Jesus Christ dying for your sins and imagine Jesus Christ looking at you and saying you are forgiven. Imagine Jesus Christ telling you He will see you in paradise. Imagine standing there looking upon our resurrected Lord. Imagine and know, we have a God who loves us to life. Amen.
Written by Pastor Curtis A. May
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