The Baptism

 Luke 3 John, the son of Zacharias, began his ministry in the wilderness.  He was called to be "the voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make ready the way of the Lord.. '"  John came "preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins;"  We must remember that the word "baptism" refers to being overwhelmed.. completely immersed or washed.  So what John preached was that we need to be completely overwhelmed and immersed in our repentance.  Repentance begins with compunction .. a pricking of our conscience.. a sense of guilt that brings remorse and regret. When we repent.. we make a conscious decision to turn away from sin.. to reconsider our ways.. to think differently than we had before. 

John preached that true repentance would bear fruit... good fruit.  When asked he gave some specific examples:

The man who had more than enough.. would share with those who were in need.

The business man (tax-gatherer) would be honest and not take more than what was necessary.. 

The soldiers were not to take money by force.. nor accuse anyone falsely.. but to learn to be content with their wages. 

The people wanted to know if John was the Messiah.. and John set them straight.. ".. One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. And His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." 

Jesus came to John to be baptized.. not for repentance.. but for the Holy Spirit to descend "in bodily form like a dove.." The announcement from heaven came then.. "Thou art My beloved Son, in Thee I am well-pleased." 

Luke finishes this chapter with a genealogy of Jesus.. showing His legal right to the throne of David.  The way had been made ready.. the Lord Jesus was preparing for His ministry to go public.  There was one more thing that needed to be done.. and that would happen in the wilderness in the next 40 days. 

This Christmas season.. as we think about the coming of Jesus.. the babe who was born in a stable and laid in a manger.. let us be reminded of the gospel that John preached.. This baby came to be King.. He came to baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.. He came to clear the threshing floor.  He came to claim His own and to judge with righteousness and truth.  He came to the lost and the needy.  He came to show the way to true repentance and forgiveness of sins.  He came to bring life.. abundant life to all who will believe.  Hallelujah!  What a Savior!

Father in heaven, You are gracious and kind.. to send Your Beloved Son for the salvation of mankind. Overwhelm us with Your Spirit that we might live for You..  always bearing good fruit.. truly repenting of every sin and following Jesus in grace and truth.  We lay down our lives.. take up our crosses... and follow Jesus, our Mighty King.  Wonderful Counselor.. speak to our hearts today. We want to hear Your voice and abide in You through every moment of this season of celebrating Your birth. Let us not be distracted by the thoughts and feelings of this world.. the focus on lights and trees and gifts and parties.. but let us truly come and adore You.  Amen.