"The LORD'S BAPTISM: Are You Just GETTING WET?"

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness; Prepare the way for the Lord; Make His paths straight” (Matt. 3:3)

So much of what we hear about the Lord's Baptism has been muted by the TRADITION OF MAN. This monumental event is very convoluted. Closer examination reveals an incredible story of will, bravery and faith on the part of Jesus Christ!

As the forerunner of Christ, John the Baptist preceded Him in birth, ministry and death. John was touched by the Holy Spirit in his mother’s womb and recognized the authority of his cousin Jesus in an embryonic state; he jumped in his mother’s womb when Mary visited Elizabeth in Judah (Luke 1:39-41) during her pregnancy with Jesus. 

John's earthly ministry was filled with controversy and stiff resistance from the reigning religious authorities. Yet he prevailed in his quest to preach the gospel of repentance to the world. He was relentless in his quest for holiness and compelled the people of his time to get right with God! At the beginning of Jesus' earthly ministry, we see that the two have connected and are charting a course that will change human history forever.

John declared, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!” (John 1:29) John bore witness of the divinity of Jesus based upon the revelation he received from God that whomever the Spirit descends and remains upon, He is the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. Jesus submitted to John. John baptized Jesus and He received the Holy Spirit. By the way, Jesus NEVER baptized anybody!

Baptism is reserved for sinners. If that is the case, then why was Jesus being baptized since He was found blameless in SIN? The answer to this question fits the character of Christ like a glove. You see, Jewish tradition has practiced baptism long before Jesus, but ONLY by sprinkling water on the forehead of the individual. Although this was a symbolic gesture, the hearts of the people were still wicked. The baptism event does not rescue, save or vindicate the sinful individual from the judgment or wrath of God. Have you been baptized? How is your heart towards God and man?

In short, Jesus was 1) making a mockery of their tradition with a public display of His commitment to the Father by 2) making the baptism an inherent contradiction in as much as he was without sin, 3) He decided to be immersed in the River Jordan versus being sprinkled, 4) He had his cousin John the Baptist baptize Him, whom the Pharisees despised (see John's attack on Herod) and 5) It was all a set up for Jesus to receive the Holy Spirit from God legally as a "gift" that Christ would be able to "transfer" to any person who would believe in Him! The HS is the "Spirit of Truth."

Christ was simply saying, "If you are being baptized and you have not (received the revelation of) the Father, you are just getting wet!" John further stated that Christ will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire (testing, trails and tribulation) (Luke 3:16). Too much of the religious experience is superficial and lacks real meaning.

Christ implores us to "immerse" or baptize ourselves in Him and press closer to the Light, Love and Way of the Truth. We must seek the "fire" without being consumed in order that we might produce "smoke" that is pleasing to the nostrils of God. This fire cannot be purged with water! It is only is Christ that we live and move and have our being... 

Once again, Pastor John the Baptist's job was to get folks to Christ; once he got them to Christ, they didn't follow Pastor John anymore! Jesus said, "...that there was none greater than John the Baptist, but he who is the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he!" 

I wonder why? Selah