A Baptism of Repentance
Mark 1:4-5: "John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins."
Baptism was not new to the Christian church. It was not John's idea or Jesus' idea. The Jews had used the practice of immersion (baptism) throughout the years. Those who had suffered any impurity would immerse themselves in the ritual waters for cleansing. Those who wanted to enter the tabernacle or the temple would engage in this ceremonial cleansing rite. Lastly, Gentiles who wanted to convert to Judaism were expected to undergo this cleansing after having been taught by a scribe and being circumcised.
What is markedly different about John's baptism was the call to repentance. Multitudes of people were coming to John from all around Judea and Jerusalem. They were confessing their sins and repenting of those sins. Repentance is not just a verbal confession but a turning away, an amendment of life. It was an absolute miracle of the Lord that so many came and received this baptism of John. Truly, think about if your church advertised confession and repentance night at the church. Would the masses come? We typically do not like to even acknowledge our sin, let alone confess it and turn from it.
Here is another remarkable thing about John's baptism of repentance: it bore fruit. Luke relayed Jesus' words about John's ministry and baptism: "When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John, but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him" (Luke 7:29-30). Through the confession of their sin, repentance, and the baptism of John, hearts were prepared to receive the message of Jesus Christ. Those who refused John's baptism were often the ones who also refused Christ.
While not the most enjoyable thing to do, confession and repentance keep our hearts soft and open to the Lord. Meanwhile, refusing to recognize our sin hardens our hearts. This Advent season is an opportunity to move into this confession, repentance, and return to the Lord. May we come with soft and humble hearts trusting that the Lord is quick to forgive, to heal, and to restore. His ways are so much greater than ours.
Reflection:
Where does confession and repentance fit into your spiritual disciplines?
Baptism was not new to the Christian church. It was not John's idea or Jesus' idea. The Jews had used the practice of immersion (baptism) throughout the years. Those who had suffered any impurity would immerse themselves in the ritual waters for cleansing. Those who wanted to enter the tabernacle or the temple would engage in this ceremonial cleansing rite. Lastly, Gentiles who wanted to convert to Judaism were expected to undergo this cleansing after having been taught by a scribe and being circumcised.
What is markedly different about John's baptism was the call to repentance. Multitudes of people were coming to John from all around Judea and Jerusalem. They were confessing their sins and repenting of those sins. Repentance is not just a verbal confession but a turning away, an amendment of life. It was an absolute miracle of the Lord that so many came and received this baptism of John. Truly, think about if your church advertised confession and repentance night at the church. Would the masses come? We typically do not like to even acknowledge our sin, let alone confess it and turn from it.
Here is another remarkable thing about John's baptism of repentance: it bore fruit. Luke relayed Jesus' words about John's ministry and baptism: "When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John, but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him" (Luke 7:29-30). Through the confession of their sin, repentance, and the baptism of John, hearts were prepared to receive the message of Jesus Christ. Those who refused John's baptism were often the ones who also refused Christ.
While not the most enjoyable thing to do, confession and repentance keep our hearts soft and open to the Lord. Meanwhile, refusing to recognize our sin hardens our hearts. This Advent season is an opportunity to move into this confession, repentance, and return to the Lord. May we come with soft and humble hearts trusting that the Lord is quick to forgive, to heal, and to restore. His ways are so much greater than ours.
Reflection:
Where does confession and repentance fit into your spiritual disciplines?
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