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JOHN BAPTIZES Luke 3: 1- 22 The word of God had come to John at a particular time in history. God's purpose for John was to prepare the way of the Lord. He did this through his preaching of the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Now John preached this message to the people, and also ceremonially baptized the people, but he himself did not have the power to cleanse anyone. John pointed to the one who would come, the one who would be able to cleanse. Luke 3:16b - I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire. Jesus is the only one who has the power to purge and cleanse. He is the only one who can perform what John preached. Luke 3:17 - His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire. Now the act of being baptized is intended to be an expression of an inward cleansing and renewal. The real work of baptism is done in the spiritual life of the believer. Just being dunked in water will not save anyone. So let's look at the spiritual truths that John preached. Luke 3:3 - And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. BAPTISM - Expresses the believer's death and resurrection with Christ. It's a picture of being dead and buried to our former ways (under the water) and risen (out of the water) into newness of life. OF REPENTANCE - A change of mind and reversal of purpose. It speaks of coming to know the sinful condition of our own hearts and desiring to exchange our sinful self-will for God's perfect and holy will. It's hating sin, turning away from it, and turning to God. FOR THE REMISSION - A pardon from the penalty of sin. This also includes a releasing from the bondage and imprisonment of sin. It's the freedom to not choose sin and to stand against it. OF SINS - Sin is a violation of God's divine law in thought or in deed. It is to miss the mark, to wander from the path of righteousness, and to be in rebellion against God. Many of us can know these things and believe them and agree with them. But how many of us want Jesus to really change our hearts... more than anything else!? Not for what we can get from Him, but because He paid for us with His life-blood. That HE may receive the glory, and that HIS life may be lived in these earthly vessels. For if we are buried with Him, we are also raised with Him in resurrection life. Not someday, but today—walking in newness of life, through the power of His Holy Spirit. Hallelujah! (see Romans 6 ). Mark 8:34b - Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Trust Him. Follow Him. Die with Him. Be buried with Him. Be raised with Him. Love Him. Will these things come to pass in you? ~ Jim Krauser
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