Mark 1:4-8
“And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.””
Mark 1:4-8 NIV
The initial evidence of the genuine heart transformation is a willingness to be baptized. Pride does not allow oneself to undergo such a public, humbling act. But the true heart of repentance is submission. By coming out to John, confessing their sins and being baptized, showed their acknowledgment of disobedience toward God and their need to be cleansed. Sin is pictured as the fundamental human problem. The fundamental problem is not ignorance nor inherent human imperfection. Our problem is our active rebellion against our Creator God. What we need to understand to see is that this is not a bunch of people coming to be baptized as if this were some compulsory act only. These are people are who convicted by their sinfulness, confess those sins, and submit to baptism because their realize they have a sin problem which will be disastrous when the Lord arrives. Baptism must never be presented as the goal. Baptism is the result of hearts broken by sinfulness that are crying out to God in repentance and sorrow, desiring to be cleansed. John’s proclamation of the good news contains a message of judgment and a message of hope. Two messages are given by John. First, the One coming after him is more powerful than him and he is unworthy to unfasten his sandals. Trying to communicate this greatness in our language would be like saying that He is so great and powerful that we are unworthy to wash His car or clean His toilets. His greatness and power must be infinite, especially coming from the greatest human to ever walk the earth, John. But John’s second message is of the greatest importance to show us who this Jesus is. We read in verse 8 that Jesus is going to baptize with the Holy Spirit. What John is saying is the One coming after him who is more powerful than him is going to fulfill the promises of Isaiah to pour out the Spirit on them. He will baptize them with the Holy Spirit. These who are coming out to John, confessing their sins and being baptized are going to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This is not miraculous spiritual gifts but a picture of God restoring His blessings upon the people, reversing the curses of sin, and drawing His people back to Himself. God is going to renew His people when the Spirit is poured out. This is great hope in John’s message to Israel. Friends, this is the very same offer made to us. John preached it regarding what Jesus was going to do when He comes. The apostles stood up in Acts 2 and preached that this is what Jesus did because He came. What was promised to Israel was also promised to all who were far off, the Gentiles and all who call on the Name of Jesus. Notice it is the same message as John: to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins. It is not some ritual but the result of a heart that is convicted by sin and desires cleaning and reconciliation with God. The confessing of our sins and being baptized, shows our acknowledgment of disobedience toward God and our need to be cleansed. We are convicted by our sinfulness, confess our sins, and submit to baptism because we realize we have a sin problem which will be disastrous when the Lord arrives. Baptism is the result of hearts broken by sinfulness that are crying out to God in repentance and sorrow, desiring to be cleansed. When we do then we also will enjoy a great reversal. God will reverse the curse from our sins so that we can be in relationship with God and called His children. We will belong to His kingdom and enjoy the promises of the new covenant. We will be reconciled to God and belong to Him. That should make shout GLORY!!!
Father thank You for this day and that Your Son died for us and that we are saved by Your grace alone, through faith in Christ. Lord let Your abundant blessing fall from the floodgates of heaven on my friend and family today. Lord thank You that the moment we believed on You we were baptized into and positioned in You. Lord thank You for the opportunity to proclaim outwardly our spiritual birth and privileged position in You by going through the waters of baptism as an open declaration of our change of heart and our trust in You. Lord thank You that our old sin nature is chained to the Cross and we have received newness of life. Lord use my friend to be a bold witness of Your mercy and grace to all today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !
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