Baptism - Daily Devotional September 11th 2009

Daily Bible Reading - 2 Kings 17, Ezekiel 7, Luke 3

Baptism (Luke 3:21-22)

Last weekend my daughters witnessed someone from Urban getting baptized. They looked on with such curiosity. It was a great opportunity to explain to them, once again, what baptism is all about and why we do it. I am excited to say that the next baptism we do will be for my girls. After our conversation and witnessing the baptism they cannot wait to get baptized. In fact, my youngest was talking to Grandpa on the phone telling him that they were going to come down to watch. They are so excited and have great expectations for that day.

What is baptism all about? It is an act of identifying with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. When we go into the water we are saying we are dying to our old self, our sins, our mistakes. That old self is being buried in the water of baptism. When we come out of the water we are rising, as Christ rose, in newness of life. It is the outward demonstration of what has taken place on the inside. It is our act of 'going public' with our faith! 2 Corinthians 5:17 says "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." Baptism is the washing away of the old and declaration of the new.

Acts 2:38 says "Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit".

In Matthew 28:19 Jesus gives the great commission, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit".

In Luke 3:21-22 we see Jesus Himself being baptized. Jesus? Really? That's what John the Baptist thought as well. In fact we see in another account of His baptism found in Matthew 3:14 that John actually tried to prevent Jesus from having John baptize Him. Jesus replies in Matthew 3:15 saying"...permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Why was Jesus baptized? He had no sin or old mistakes to die to, He was baptized to set an example for you and I, to fulfill righteousness.

What I love about the account of Jesus' baptism is that we see the heavens open over Him, the Holy Spirit come upon him like a dove and the voice of the Father say "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased". (Luke 3:22) I did not hear the voice of God speak to me when I was baptized, however, I did feel as though God delighted in that moment. I believe He delights in every believer as we take that step of obedience and faith to make the public declaration of our faith when we are baptized.

Do you remember that moment of your baptism? Think about what it meant, how significant that moment was. If you have not been baptized, now is the perfect time. Talk to a family member, friend, community group leader or one of the pastors in your life. God public with your faith in Christ and expect that your Heavenly Father will take delight in that moment, and experience the blessing of obedience in fulfilling all righteousness.

Enjoying the Journey,
Katie

Tomorrow's Bible Reading - 2 Kings 18, Ezekiel 8, Luke 4