Matthew 3:1-17 (The Message)
While Jesus was living in the Galilean hills, John, called "the Baptizer," was preaching in the desert country of Judea. His message was simple and austere, like his desert surroundings: "Change your life. God's kingdom is here."
John and his message were authorized by Isaiah's prophecy:
Thunder in the desert!
Prepare for God's arrival!
Make the road smooth and straight!
John dressed in a camel-hair habit tied at the waist by a leather strap. He lived on a diet of locusts and wild field honey. People poured out of Jerusalem, Judea, and the Jordanian countryside to hear and see him in action. There at the Jordan River those who came to confess their sins were baptized into a changed life.
When John realized that a lot of Pharisees and Sadducees were showing up for a baptismal experience because it was becoming the popular thing to do, he exploded: "Brood of snakes! What do you think you're doing slithering down here to the river? Do you think a little water on your snake skins is going to make any difference? It's your life that must change, not your skin! And don't think you can pull rank by claiming Abraham as father. Being a descendant of Abraham is neither here nor there. Descendants of Abraham are a dime a dozen. What counts is your life. Is it green and blossoming? Because if it's deadwood, it goes on the fire.
"I'm baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. The real action comes next: The main character in this drama—compared to him I'm a mere stagehand—will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He's going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives. He'll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he'll put out with the trash to be burned."
Jesus then appeared, arriving at the Jordan River from Galilee. He wanted John to baptize him. John objected, "I'm the one who needs to be baptized, not you!"
But Jesus insisted. "Do it. God's work, putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now in this baptism." So John did it.
The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God's Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: "This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life."
Devotional - Inside Out (by Emily Gray)
As we can see here, John cuts to the chase. And it’s for a good reason: his job was to prepare people for Jesus. He announced Jesus’ arrival, helped people get in the right mindset, and softened their hearts to hear Jesus’ message. Sure, he may have dressed peculiarly and eaten a unique diet, but I think he was so focused on his purpose in life everything else was minimal in comparison.
When John sees the religious leaders of his day coming down to observe, speculate, and “make an appearance,” he calls them out directly. He wants them to realize that following Christ isn’t about observing, or keeping up appearances. He sums it up when he says, “It's your life that must change, not your skin!” Its not outward appearances, our social connections or status, or our credentials that make the difference, it’s the way we live our lives. I don’t know about you, but sometimes it’s just easier for me to put on a happy face, say the right things, and “keep up appearances.” But as John reminds us, Jesus comes to change our lives from the inside out. This process rests on who Jesus is and His ability, not our capacity to perform or put on a show. Trusting Jesus to change us, to “make a clean sweep of our lives” as John puts it, can be a freeing thing. Instead of trying so hard, getting discouraged, and feeling guilty, we can simply come to Jesus with our messy lives and say, “Ok. Help me clean this up. Help me sort through what’s true, and what’s trash.” And when we trust Jesus, transformation will happen, from the inside out.
Prayer: Jesus, help me to change from the inside out. Show me when I’m putting up a front, forgive me, and help me to trust you. Help me to trust Your ability to change my life, instead of relying on myself. Thank You for being patient with me as we work on this change together. Amen.
John and his message were authorized by Isaiah's prophecy:
Thunder in the desert!
Prepare for God's arrival!
Make the road smooth and straight!
John dressed in a camel-hair habit tied at the waist by a leather strap. He lived on a diet of locusts and wild field honey. People poured out of Jerusalem, Judea, and the Jordanian countryside to hear and see him in action. There at the Jordan River those who came to confess their sins were baptized into a changed life.
When John realized that a lot of Pharisees and Sadducees were showing up for a baptismal experience because it was becoming the popular thing to do, he exploded: "Brood of snakes! What do you think you're doing slithering down here to the river? Do you think a little water on your snake skins is going to make any difference? It's your life that must change, not your skin! And don't think you can pull rank by claiming Abraham as father. Being a descendant of Abraham is neither here nor there. Descendants of Abraham are a dime a dozen. What counts is your life. Is it green and blossoming? Because if it's deadwood, it goes on the fire.
"I'm baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. The real action comes next: The main character in this drama—compared to him I'm a mere stagehand—will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He's going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives. He'll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he'll put out with the trash to be burned."
Jesus then appeared, arriving at the Jordan River from Galilee. He wanted John to baptize him. John objected, "I'm the one who needs to be baptized, not you!"
But Jesus insisted. "Do it. God's work, putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now in this baptism." So John did it.
The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God's Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: "This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life."
Devotional - Inside Out (by Emily Gray)
As we can see here, John cuts to the chase. And it’s for a good reason: his job was to prepare people for Jesus. He announced Jesus’ arrival, helped people get in the right mindset, and softened their hearts to hear Jesus’ message. Sure, he may have dressed peculiarly and eaten a unique diet, but I think he was so focused on his purpose in life everything else was minimal in comparison.
When John sees the religious leaders of his day coming down to observe, speculate, and “make an appearance,” he calls them out directly. He wants them to realize that following Christ isn’t about observing, or keeping up appearances. He sums it up when he says, “It's your life that must change, not your skin!” Its not outward appearances, our social connections or status, or our credentials that make the difference, it’s the way we live our lives. I don’t know about you, but sometimes it’s just easier for me to put on a happy face, say the right things, and “keep up appearances.” But as John reminds us, Jesus comes to change our lives from the inside out. This process rests on who Jesus is and His ability, not our capacity to perform or put on a show. Trusting Jesus to change us, to “make a clean sweep of our lives” as John puts it, can be a freeing thing. Instead of trying so hard, getting discouraged, and feeling guilty, we can simply come to Jesus with our messy lives and say, “Ok. Help me clean this up. Help me sort through what’s true, and what’s trash.” And when we trust Jesus, transformation will happen, from the inside out.
Prayer: Jesus, help me to change from the inside out. Show me when I’m putting up a front, forgive me, and help me to trust you. Help me to trust Your ability to change my life, instead of relying on myself. Thank You for being patient with me as we work on this change together. Amen.
posted by Mikey | 10:21 AM
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