Baptism 01: Baptism for Jews
Orientate
I must admit that baptism seems like a “rite” that comes from a different culture and a different time in history. Maybe sprinkling babies is kind of cute. But dunking adults seems rather strange. Some Australians would see it as one of the weirder aspects of Christianity. Maybe you feel the same way. Well you need to know that’s exactly how the Jews of Jesus’ day felt about baptism. It may have been used occasionally for Gentiles wanting to become Jews, but certainly no good ethnic Jew would ever consider baptism. It was unnecessary and unusual. Then along came John (“the Baptiser”) calling on all Jews to repent and be baptised. Now that was disconcerting for them. John was a rather wild prophet who preceded Jesus. Read about John’s message and actions.
Explore: Matthew 3:1-12
3 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 baptised by him in the Jordan River.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptising, 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 axe 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 baptise 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 baptise 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.”
Journal
Journal for a few minutes on the following questions:
1. What is God saying to me? Which verse is most significant?
2. What do I want to discuss/explore further?
3. What do I need to do?
4. How did baptism fit into John’s call for repentance?
Reflect
John was really stirring things up. Most Jewish people presumed that they were right with God because they were Jews. They were God’s specially chosen ethnic group. Some Aussies similarly think that way. They presume they are Christians because they live in Australia or because they believe in God. But John’s message was that God was about to do a new thing (“the kingdom of heaven is near”) and that “having Abraham as your father” (making you an ethnic Jew) was not enough.
To be included in this new move of God two things were necessary. One was repentance. People had to admit that they were not living God’s way, say sorry to God, and then change their lifestyle to reflect this new commitment to obeying God. John was rather direct with the religious leaders (he called them a “brood of vipers”). Their problem was that not only were they too proud to admit their failure to God, they were trying to prevent others from doing this. They were a dangerous bunch.
The second action required was to be baptised. Remember this was a very humbling and costly action for Jewish people, but it was a powerful symbol of what was happening in their lives. They were going into the water burdened by their guilt and failure. They were coming out of the water clean and pure and right with God, and ready for the powerful work God was about to initiate.
This is only a first taste of what baptism is about. As John himself indicated there was more to come (3:11). But I hope that already you’re feeling a sense of anticipation as to what baptism could mean for you.
Pray
Lord thanks that I don’t have to live burdened by my failures and weakness, but can bring these to you, repent, and be released. Please keep me humble and soft to your Spirit. May I not pretend that I am okay or hide my brokenness, but readily seek your forgiveness and a fresh start daily. And if that means being baptised, then I will do what you want, no matter how humbling or strange it is.
Respond
Think about one thing you’ve done for Jesus that has been costly or uncomfortable. Thank God for your courage. Maybe there is something God is calling you to do today?
