Day 13

Day 13
Matthew 3:13-17 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented Him saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so for now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately He went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him; and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest upon Him; and behold a voice form heaven said, “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased”.
The baptism of Jesus is an often overlooked and rarely taught on passage in many Churches today, possibly it is a little too matter of fact to be provocative or exciting from the pulpit. However this passage bears some points very worthy of repeating, for one the simple fact that Jesus was baptized. In the timeline of life Jesus He was about thirty years old at this time and I am confident (as we all should be) that Jesus was in fellowship with God, (or saved), prior to his baptism. However Jesus did state that John could not fulfill “His righteousness” until the baptism of water. He was also baptized prior to beginning His rather visible ministry. Upon Jesus baptism the Lord God publicly stated that this was His Son, and that He was well pleased in Him, in other words Jesus had the approval of God! How does this pertain to us you ask? I believe that every point is made here for us to realize the need to be baptized in water thus identifying ourselves with our savior. I would strongly suggest all men be baptized prior to serving God in any fashion, or better yet immediately (at first opportunity) after salvation. The significance of water baptism is important if for no other reason than the fact that God required it of His Son Jesus Christ. Isn’t that alone good enough reason for us to do likewise? I for one also believe that many of those who struggle with not sensing or realizing the infilling of the Holy Spirit are doing so because they have never made the commitment to be water baptized or identified publicly with the person of Jesus Christ. And let us also not forget the message it is sending throughout the heavens, surely there is great power in the proclamation before men, demons, angels, when we openly and publicly proclaim our commitment to our God!

Daily Prayer: Father for those who have yet to be baptized with water I pray that You will lead them by Your Spirit according to your will. And for those of us who have, may we never forget what we have publicly declared before men, angels, and demons, in Jesus name Amen.

“Baptism is more than a short swim that leads to an eternal bathing”
Gene Burroughs Servant