I Need To Be Baptized By You

Daily Reading: Matthew 3 

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire… I need to be baptized by you. (Matthew 3.11, 14) 

Devotional Thought: In Matthew 3, today’s chapter, we read of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist.  Before baptizing Jesus, however, John resists saying, “I need to be baptized by you!”  It’s easy to understand why, for he had just told the crowds, “After me will come one who is more powerful than I… He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Matthew 3.11) 

Later, when speaking about John the Baptist, Jesus would say, "Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he" (Matthew 11.11).  I wonder why Jesus would say that.  John had a great ministry.  He preached a powerful message.  Faith was lifted.  Lives were changed.  How could Jesus say the least in the kingdom would be greater than John?  And, why would a powerful and effective preacher say that he needed to be baptized by Jesus? 

John knew that his ministry was only in preparation for Jesus.  He knew that Jesus’ ministry and message and life were more powerful than his own.   Yes, he was already “on fire” with the mission of God, but I believe he wanted more.  He recognized that he needed the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  That baptism would only be accomplished in individual lives when and after God poured out the Spirit on Pentecost.  If you read about that in Acts 2, you will discover the juxtaposition of fire and baptism with the Holy Spirit again. 

The question that arises is, "Have I been baptized with the Holy Spirit and with fire?"  If not, then confess like John that "I need to be baptized by you." 

Prayer: "Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine; Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine; Take all my will, my passion, self and pride; I now surrender, Lord, in me abide."  (Cleanse Me, J. Edwin Orr)

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 84:1-7

1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!

2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.

3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.

4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.

6 As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.

7 They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.