Tuesday – Read Genesis 38-40; Matthew 3:3-6; Isaiah 40:1-5; II Kings 1:8. John’s Mission: Prepare the Way of the Lord. John the Baptist is the last of the great Old Testament prophets, and he dressed like Elijah. The Jews expected that Elijah would reappear in the Messianic age when God would set all things right, restore the fortunes of Israel, and place an ideal king on David’s throne. The purpose of John’s ministry is to prepare the way of the Lord. How did he do that? He told people that they couldn’t enter the kingdom of heaven without confessing their sins and being washed clean. John’s baptism was a sign of repentance, and the imagery of John’s baptism was very powerful. By stepping into the water people were saying, “We wish to be God’s people wholly and completely. We wish to be forgiven and made right with God.” Symbolically, the water of the Jordan washed away their sins and carried them downstream into the Dead Sea where nothing could live. The sins you carried with you have been carried down to the Dead Sea. They cannot live again. Spend some time confessing your sins, and ask the Holy spirit to help you repent.

 

Wednesday – Read Genesis 41-42; Matthew 3:7-12; II Chronicles 7:12-16. Bear Fruits Worthy of Repentance. Like the Republicans and the Democrats, the Pharisees and the Sadducees represented opposite ends of the political and religious spectrums in Judaism, but they are united in their opposition to John, Jesus, and the kingdom of heaven. They are so afraid of losing their power and are so threatened by the kingdom of heaven that even natural enemies become allies to combat it. John identifies them for who they are: you brood of vipers. He tells them to not rely on their credentials. Inclusion in the kingdom of heaven and acceptance at the last judgment is not based on bloodlines and elite status but on your response to the call to be baptized, follow Jesus, and bear fruit. John called them to bear fruits worthy of repentance. John baptized with water, but Jesus, who is more powerful, will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire and judge between the faithful and unfaithful. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can bear fruits worthy of repentance.

 

Thursday – Read Genesis 43-45; Matthew 3:13-15. Why Did Jesus Get Baptized? Why did Jesus, who was without sin, need to be baptized? Jesus said, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” There are two ways to understand what Jesus meant. 1.) Jesus meant that it is God’s will for him to save the world, to make righteousness a reality for humanity by joining himself to sinners. His baptism demonstrates he shares in the fullness of our human experience in order that we may be forgiven, saved, and made righteous. The ancient Christians said, “He is like us, so he will help us.” 2.) Righteousness refers to the righteousness of God and the way God works in the world to make things right. The heavens are torn open, and God is made known as the voice of God reveals Jesus’ true and full identity, “This is my Son.” Jesus was telling John, “Now is the time that God will act mightily to save humanity.” The ancient Christians also said, “He is not like us, so he can help us.” Thank Jesus for sharing in your life, loving you, and forgiving you.

 

Friday – Read Genesis 46-47; Matthew 3:16-17; Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 42:1; 64:1-2. The Baptism of Jesus. Jesus is the Lord whose coming was foretold by the prophet Isaiah. Jesus’ ministry is the answer to the long-deferred hope in Isaiah 64:1 which says: O that you would tear open the heavens and come down…. All three persons of the Trinity are present at Jesus’ baptism. As Jesus, the Son, emerges from the water, he sees the Holy Spirit descend as a dove, and we hear the voice of his Father say, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well please.” Epiphany means manifestation, and in Jesus’ baptism he is revealed to be the Son of God. As you pray, thank Jesus for coming to minister to us and save us.

 

Saturday – Read Genesis 48-50; Galatians 3:26-29; Romans 6:1-11. Our Baptism. Why should we be baptized? Why does baptism matter? Jesus’ baptism establishes his identity. Our baptism establishes our identity. Jesus is who God says he is; we are who God says we are. Above all other labels we may carry, in Christ Jesus we are sons and daughters of God, for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Baptism matters because we are who God says we are. The identity you received in your baptism is revealed with convincing power in the unfolding story or your life and death… and resurrection. We are currently living in a time when many people and forces are seeking to pull people apart and divide them. Political strife, racial tension, and identity politics all create division because they focus on the ways we are different. The Apostle Paul seeks to unite people who seem very different by focusing on what they have in common: namely, that we are one in Christ. For Christians, our primary identity is not our race, our homeland, our political party, our generation, or the sports team we support. Our primary identity is to be people who are made in the image of God, disciples of Jesus Christ, members of the body of Christ. Jesus calls us to be united in his name and to find our one-ness in the Savior. Consider how your baptism has shaped your identity and the way you live out your faith. If you have not been baptized, ask Jesus if he is calling you to be baptized and follow him.