Preparing the Way of the Lord!
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, I confess today that I need Your forgiveness for the sins that I continue to commit, and for the struggles that I have in keeping You first and foremost in my life. Forgive me, and empower me by Your Holy Spirit to live boldly and confidently for You today and always. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God’s Word Today
Matthew 3:1-12
1In those days John the Baptist began preaching in the Judean wilderness. His message was, 2“Turn from your sins and turn to God, because the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” 3Isaiah had spoken of John when he said,
“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness:
‘Prepare a pathway for the Lord’s coming!
Make a straight road for him!’”
4John’s clothes were woven from camel hair, and he wore a leather belt; his food was locusts and wild honey. 5People from Jerusalem and from every section of Judea and from all over the Jordan Valley went out to the wilderness to hear him preach. 6And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
7But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be baptized, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee God’s coming judgment? 8Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins and turned to God. 9Don’t just say, ‘We’re safe—we’re the descendants of Abraham.’ That proves nothing. God can change these stones here into children of Abraham. 10Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever your roots. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.
11“I baptize with water those who turn from their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is far greater than I am—so much greater that I am not even worthy to be his slave. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12He is ready to separate the chaff from the grain with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, storing the grain in his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”
Reflecting on God's Word
What do you think of when you think of “confessing your sins”?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
Who went out into the wilderness to hear John preach? (3:5)
What was their response to John’s preaching? (3:6)
Understanding God's Word
What role does baptism play in our lives, once we have confessed our sins and received Jesus as our Savior and Lord?
Why do you suppose that John had such an attraction to people form everywhere, given that he spent all his time in the wilderness?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
Is there any sin you need to confess to God right now?
Thoughts...Confessing Their Sins!
John’s message attracted the masses, and amazingly when they heard his call to repent or to turn from their sins and turn back to God they actually did it! They confessed their sins and then John baptized them in the Jordan River. John’s baptism was for repentance, as we are told and as we are told again in Acts 19:4. Even so, the baptism was a precursor to the baptism every believer is called to undergo as a response of obedience to receiving Jesus as Savior and Lord. Baptism, since it uses water, is an obvious symbol of cleansing from sin, when it is used as John did, to confirm one’s repentance—one’s turning away from sin and turning to God. The apostle Paul also understood an additional and vital purpose of baptism as he explains in Romans 6—that of being “buried” with Jesus Christ. When the one being baptized is immersed, he or she is “buried” with Jesus, and sin is put to death. The image reminds us that as followers of Jesus we do not have to sin, because Jesus has given us a new life—a life in the Holy Spirit, whereby we may live fully and completely for Him. As we go about this day, may we live in the victory of that new life!