July 29 Change

Luke 3:3-6 John went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. 5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 6 And all mankind will see God’s salvation.’” 
 
IF you were with me in the study of Elijah and Elisha, do you remember the location where God took Elijah into Heaven? 2 Kings 1 records the last place Elijah and Elisha stood together was at the Jordan River. Now, John, who is to “go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17) begins his ministry where Elijah’s ended.
    God’s purpose is to show the Jews his promises, as recorded in Isaiah and spoken in many other prophecies, are still in force to be fulfilled. The Lord had been silent in Israel for 400 years. Now he breaks the silence with John’s voice reiterating the prophets’ repentance and salvation messages. Although his life is recorded in the New Testament, John is the last of the Old Testament, the Old Promise, prophets. John’s voice is the final herald to say, “Prepare the way for the Lord.” The New Testament, the New Promise, of Grace in the Lord Jesus Christ is about to begin.  
    See, then, how the preparation is to a baptism of repentance. But why baptism? This is a New Testament sacrament. Jesus commanded it as a visible sign and seal of the Holy Spirit giving new life to one who confesses Christ. Baptism, though not a confession of Christ for the Jew, was a sign of desiring a more righteous life. Baptism symbolized the cleansing, changing waters of the Great Flood. Baptism helped one remember the Jews’ change from Egypt’s bondage to our Lord’s freedom. Baptism helped the Jews also remember the change from wandering in the desert to settling in the Promised Land as the Jews walked through the Jordan River. Baptism was also an act of change for a Gentile to show his desire to live as a Jew under God’s law.
    John called his people to change their view of sin and God. He preached their need for change, so they would be prepared for the Lord’s salvation. As had other Jewish prophets and priests, he baptized with water to symbolize one’s desire to change. Jesus would come to baptize us into his death, resurrection and eternal life: Romans 6:3-4 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.  
    New Testament baptism is the sign you are born again. You not only repent of your sins as the Jews, but you are eternally forgiven, your life is made new and marked in Jesus’ life, sealed in the Holy Spirit forever.
   
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for your eternal change of my soul, washed clean by your blood. Amen.