Christian Foundations 7 - BaptismParaugs

BAPTISM FOR JEWS  

Maybe for you baptism seems like a “rite” that comes from a different culture and a different time in history. Oh sprinkling babies is kind of cute. But dunking adults appears rather strange. Some people in our secular culture would see it as one of the weirder aspects of Christianity. Over the next week, we will explore the meaning and significance of baptism. First a little bit of background. The Jews of Jesus day had purification ceremonies that involved washing in water. For example, if a Jew touched a corpse, they would need to be immersed in naturally produced water to be purified. So baptism was not a foreign ceremony to Jews. It brought restoration and cleanness. It signified a change of status before God. But then John “the Baptizer” (a rather wild and forthright prophet) came along with a new message. He called every Jew to repent and be baptized. 

Read: Matthew 3:1-12

Journal

1. What is God saying to me? Which verse is most significant?

2. What do I want to discuss/explore further?

3. What do I need to do?

4. How did baptism fit into John’s call for repentance?

Reflect

John was really stirring things up. Most Jewish people presumed that they were right with God because they were Jews. They were God’s specially chosen ethnic group. Some people today think the same way. They presume they are Christians because they live in a “Christian” country or because they believe in God. But John’s message was that God was about to do a new thing (“the kingdom of heaven is near”) and that “having Abraham as your father” (making you an ethnic Jew) was not enough.

According to John, to be included in this new move of God two things were absolutely necessary. One was repentance. People had to admit that they were not living God’s way, say sorry to God, and then change their lifestyle to reflect this new commitment to obeying God. Not everyone agreed with him. The religious leaders were unhappy about John’s call for repentance. They were not only too proud to admit their failure to God, they were also trying to prevent ordinary Jews from doing so. They were a dangerous bunch. John was rather direct with them calling them a “brood of vipers.”

The second action required to be part of this new move of God was to be baptized. This was a humbling and costly action for Jewish people who were ritually clean, but it was a powerful symbol of what was happening in their lives. They were going into the water burdened by their uncleanness and guilt and failure. They were coming out of the water clean and pure and right with God, and ready for the powerful work God was about to initiate.

This is our first insight into baptism. As John himself indicated there was more to come (3:11). But I hope that already you are feeling a sense of anticipation as to what baptism could mean for you.

Pray

Lord thanks that I do not have to live burdened by my failures and weakness, but can bring these to you, repent, and be released. Please keep me humble and soft to your Spirit. May I not pretend that I am okay or hide my brokenness, but readily seek your forgiveness and a fresh start daily. And if that means being baptized, then I will do what you want, no matter how humbling or strange it is.

Respond

The Jews responding to God’s call and getting baptized against the advice of their religious leaders were courageous. You have probably already done some courageous things in following Jesus. Reflect on one of these things and thank God for helping you to be courageous.