I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit. Matthew 3:11 WEB
John the Baptist received the title of his name from his practice of baptizing repentant sinners in preparation of the ministry of Jesus. Water baptism symbolizes the cleansing away of sin. As Jesus would die in our place for forgiveness of sin, John’s baptizing was a physical type for the baptism in the Holy Spirit that followers of Christ receive through repentance from sin.
The prophet Isaiah predicted the ministry of John the Baptist. We read his prophecy in Isaiah 40:3 which reads, “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. KJV” John the Baptist is the voice that cries in the wilderness in preparation of Christ.
John Prepared the Way
With his statement recorded in the gospel of Matthew, John made clear that he is not the promised Messiah. Instead, John revealed his purpose in preparing the way for the Lord. In doing so, he fulfilled the aforementioned words of the prophet Isaiah.
The Spirit of Truth
Significantly, it is the Holy Spirit that convicts mankind of sin. When we feel the discomfort of our consciousness because of wicked things we have done, Scripture reveals that it is the Spirit of God that calls us to repentance. We read Jesus’ words concerning the Holy Spirit in John 16:8. That scripture says, “When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment. WEB”
The Holy Spirit of God is mentioned throughout Old and New Testament writings. Jesus continues to share his message about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in John 16:13 which reads, “However when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming. WEB”
Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to baptize believers after his resurrection on what is now known as the Day of Pentecost. We read of this in Acts 2:3-4 which says, “Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak. WEB”
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for convicting me of my sin through your Holy Spirit. Thank you for my salvation in Jesus Christ. Guide my steps to serve your purpose. Make me sensitive to the direction of your Spirit. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Forget the Former Things
