The Way DAY 7 - Jesus' Baptism and Our Baptism
Day 7: Jesus’ Baptism and Our Baptism
Romans 6:4
Why was Jesus baptized?
That question stumps a lot of people. It even stumped John who baptized him! Yesterday we said Jesus was baptized to stand in solidarity with us. It’s another way for Jesus to stand with sinners. It’s also another way to show us that God stands with sinners - with us!
There are two other reasons Jesus was baptized. The first isn’t talked about very much. It sounds too superstitious to many people but the more you think about it, the more it makes sense. Through his baptism, Jesus washes the water that will wash us in baptism. The 4th c. pastor, Maximus of Turin, said this best. Jesus is so pure, so holy, that he purifies the water that washes us when we are baptized. That doesn’t mean he made all water safe for drinking. Jesus effected a spiritual change so that water in baptism spiritually changes us. Jesus makes the water of our baptism special.
There’s one more reason that builds on the previous two. By coming close to us through his baptism, Jesus makes our baptism bring us closer to him.
From day one of the Christian movement, baptism has been the entry point for walking with Jesus. In Matthew 28, Jesus told the apostles to baptize everyone commits to the Way of Jesus. Whether it’s an adult or an infant brought by their Christian parents, baptism says, “I stand with Jesus who stands with me.” It’s a sign of our solidarity with Jesus, but it’s Jesus and his baptism that make this possible. Standing with him matters because he stands with us. Every step we take to get closer to God is only possible because God took the first step to get closer to us. God’s grace empowers us. God’s love arouses our love for God.
REFLECT
Have you been baptized? If so, how would you explain its importance based on this week’s devo reflections? If you’ve not been baptized, what’s holding you back?
PRAY
Thank you, Jesus, for standing with us in baptism. Thank you for calling us to receive baptism which brings us closer to you. Amen.
Romans 6:4
Why was Jesus baptized?
That question stumps a lot of people. It even stumped John who baptized him! Yesterday we said Jesus was baptized to stand in solidarity with us. It’s another way for Jesus to stand with sinners. It’s also another way to show us that God stands with sinners - with us!
There are two other reasons Jesus was baptized. The first isn’t talked about very much. It sounds too superstitious to many people but the more you think about it, the more it makes sense. Through his baptism, Jesus washes the water that will wash us in baptism. The 4th c. pastor, Maximus of Turin, said this best. Jesus is so pure, so holy, that he purifies the water that washes us when we are baptized. That doesn’t mean he made all water safe for drinking. Jesus effected a spiritual change so that water in baptism spiritually changes us. Jesus makes the water of our baptism special.
There’s one more reason that builds on the previous two. By coming close to us through his baptism, Jesus makes our baptism bring us closer to him.
From day one of the Christian movement, baptism has been the entry point for walking with Jesus. In Matthew 28, Jesus told the apostles to baptize everyone commits to the Way of Jesus. Whether it’s an adult or an infant brought by their Christian parents, baptism says, “I stand with Jesus who stands with me.” It’s a sign of our solidarity with Jesus, but it’s Jesus and his baptism that make this possible. Standing with him matters because he stands with us. Every step we take to get closer to God is only possible because God took the first step to get closer to us. God’s grace empowers us. God’s love arouses our love for God.
REFLECT
Have you been baptized? If so, how would you explain its importance based on this week’s devo reflections? If you’ve not been baptized, what’s holding you back?
PRAY
Thank you, Jesus, for standing with us in baptism. Thank you for calling us to receive baptism which brings us closer to you. Amen.
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January
February
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March
The Way DAY 30 - Follow the LeaderThe Way DAY 31 - Dinner with a PhariseeThe Way DAY 32 - Don't Be the HeroThe Way DAY 33 - God's GraceThe Way DAY 34 - The Grace You ShowThe Way DAY 35 - Our Sin and Our SaviorThe Way DAY 36 - Jesus and ParablesThe Way DAY 37 - The Farmer and the SeedsThe Way DAY 38 - The Seed and The SoilThe Way DAY 39 - The Good HeartThe Way DAY 40 - Who is Jesus, Pt 1The Way DAY 41 - Who is Jesus, Pt 2The Way DAY 42 - They Saw His GloryThe Way DAY 43 - Your Next StepThe Way DAY 44 - His DevotionThe Way DAY 45 - The Leadership of JesusThe Way DAY 46 - Pick Up Your CrossThe Way DAY 47 - Daily DenialThe Way DAY 48 - Forgive Like JesusThe Way DAY 49 - Trusting God
April
Because of Easter DAY 1Because of Easter DAY 2Because of Easter DAY 3Because of Easter DAY 4Because of Easter DAY 5Because of Easter DAY 6Because of Easter DAY 7Because of Easter DAY 8Because of Easter DAY 9New Devo Starts SoonPsalms DAY 1Psalms DAY 2Psalms DAY 3Psalms DAY 4Psalms DAY 5Psalms DAY 6Psalms DAY 7Psalms DAY 8Psalms DAY 9Psalms DAY 10
2023
June
COMING SOON! RevelationRevelation Day 1 - TAKE IT TO HEARTRevelation Day 2 - IN THE SPIRITRevelation Day 3 - Learning to SeeRevelation Day 4 - The VoiceRevelation Day 5 - A Faithful WitnessRevelation DAY 6 - Past, Present, or Future?Revelation Day 7 - PRESS ONRevelation 8 - Comfort and ChallengeRevelation Day 9 - Compromised CommitmentRevelation Day 10 - I'm Fine, ThanksRevelation Day 11 - Holy, Holy, HolyRevelation Day 12 - Who is Worthy?Revelation Day 13 - Don't Give Up!Revelation Day 14 - No ContestRevelation Day 15 - Worship WellRevelation Day 16 - The Problem of EvilRevelation Day 17 - When You Don't Know WhyRevelation Day 18 - The Limits of SufferingRevelation Day 19 - Is God Angry?Revelation Day 20 - Saved Through Suffering
July
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