The Jewish people came to John to be baptised by him in the river Jordon. His message was in preparation for the coming Kingdom of God, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” His words must have disturbed the hearts of the people when he inferred that they sought repentance only to please their traditions. His words left them wondering what they should do to earn their righteousness.
John suggested that, “The person who had two coats to give one to the person who had not got any. To share their food with each other and the Tax Collectors he told them, “Collect no more than is appointed.” Luke 3: 10-14
John testified to the coming of the Messiah, “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry, he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Matthew 3: 11
Nicodemus came to speak with Jesus
Nicodemus he was a Pharisee and a member of the ruling council in Jerusalem, we read that he came to speak with Jesus at night, taking care that he was not seen by anybody who knew him. He strikes me as a shrewd man who had decided to go and speak with Jesus in person.
Nicodemus started the conversation by acknowledging Jesus’ teaching and the signs he brought about, these could only have been accomplished by God working with him. Jesus and his disciples would have been glad to hear these words from Nicodemus; they would have probably put them at their ease.
However, Jesus knowing the thoughts and intentions of every person’s heart touched immediately on the subject of ‘Baptism.’ “Truly, truly, I say to you unless one is born anew he can not see the Kingdom of God.” “Unless one is born of water and Spirit, he can not enter the Kingdom of God.” John 3: 5.
But instead of talking to Nicodemus about John the Baptist’s water baptism, being set apart, cleansed for the forgiveness of sin, a continual process. Mark 1: 4,5. Jesus spoke of the baptism that he was going to give, the’ baptism of water and Spirit,’ which we understand Nicodemus had no knowledge about.
Jesus touched on the heart of the matter.
Nicodemus I am sure had heard John the Baptist’s message and Jesus’ message accompanied by the signs, but Nicodemus had not received their testimony.
“Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony.” John 3: 11
This verse would indicate that Nicodemus had not received John’s baptism. Perhaps he still was sceptical as John’s baptism pointed to Jesus as being the Messiah and maybe that is why he came to speak with Jesus.
“Yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than John the Baptist. When they heard this all the people and the tax collectors justified God, having been baptised with the baptism of John; but the Pharisees and the lawyers had rejected the purposes of God for themselves, not having been baptised by him.” Luke 7: 30
Nicodemus helped Joseph of Arimathea.
After Jesus had died on the cross Joseph of Arimathea a secret disciple went and asked Pilate to take away the body of Jesus, Pilate gave him leave. Nicodemus identified by John as the one who came to Jesus by night helped Joseph take down Jesus from the cross and carry his dead body to Joseph’s tomb where they wrapped Jesus’ body in the spices that Nicodemus had brought to the tomb. Joseph and Nicodemus’ involvement must have reached the ears of other members of the ruling council. Nicodemus had openly made his association with Jesus at the time when his closest friends had abandoned him. John 19: 38-42
John the Baptist baptised Jesus
John the Baptist’s baptism was in preparing the way for the coming of the Messiah.
When Jesus came to John to be baptised by him, John perceived who Jesus was and said to him, “I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.”
Matthew 3: 13 - 17
Jesus consecrated and anointed for the priesthood in order to fulfil all righteousness.
Jesus fulfilled the law in being consecrated and anointed for the priesthood at his baptism in the river Jordon. (Jesus fulfilled the requirement of the law in his life and ministry.)
Water was used as part of the consecration of priests.
“And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water.” Leviticus 8: 6
Consecration – the act of devotion to a sacred use.
Jesus started his ministry at about the age of thirty. Luke 3: 23
Unger’s Dictionary page 883
“The age for entering the priesthood is not mentioned, but it was probably from 25 years to 30 years.
Numbers 8: 24. 4: 3, 23, 30, 35, 47.
Jesus was not a descendant of Aaron; he was a descendant of King David. But the writer of Hebrews states that Jesus was a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
“For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not according to a legal requirement concerning bodily descent but by an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him, “Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6: 14-17.
Aaron was anointed with oil, the anointing oil symbolising the Holy Spirit.
“Moses poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head, and anointed him, to consecrate him.” Leviticus 8: 12
God himself anointed Jesus consecrating him for the work he had called him to do.
When Jesus came up out of the water the heavens were opened and John the Baptist saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting upon Jesus; a voice from heaven was heard saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3: 17
Matthew when he wrote his gospel recognised Isaiah’s prophecy, the beloved Son of God who pleased his Father by healing all who came to him.
“And many followed him, and he healed them all, and ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him, he will bring forth justice to the nations.” Matthew 12: 15 – 18. Isaiah 42:1.
Jesus was given the Holy Spirit without measure. He did not allow his disciples to make him known during his ministry. It was on the Day of Pentecost when they proclaimed for the first time that Jesus was the Messiah.
Jesus’ healing ministry attracted the attention of the Gentiles; the Roman centurion came to Jesus and asked if he would to heal his servant. The Syrophoenician lady she came to Jesus for her daughter’s healing.
The believer’s baptism in the Old Testament
Jug of water with enough gasses for the people present.
Hand out the glasses and then proceed to fill each glass with water from the jug until the water runs out. When the water runs out, indicate to those who are waiting and expecting to receive some water that there is no more.
During the Israelites wilderness journey we see a glimpse of Jesus’ baptism. After crossing the Red Sea 600,000 Israelites began their journey towards the Promised Land, the land of Canaan. After three days travelling through the wilderness of Shur they ran out of water. When they came to Marah, they found to their dismay, that the water there was bitter and undrinkable. Due to this they murmured against Moses. He cried out to God for his help. God told Moses to throw a tree into the water and the water became sweet and drinkable. Exodus 15: 22 – 25
Jesus’ baptism of repentance
The bitter water of sin.
The tree, the cross where sin was dealt with by Jesus.
The sweet water of sins forgiven.
Born of water
Jesus commanded his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28: 19
When the centurion pierced Jesus’ heart after he was dead, blood and water poured out.
Alfred Edersheim ‘The Temple’ page 278
“Then the ordinary sacrifice preceeded, the priest who had gone to Siloam so timing it, that he returned just as his brethren carried up the pieces of sacrifice to lay them upon the altar. As he entered by the ‘Watery gate,’ which obtained its name from the ceremony, he was received by a threefold blast from the priests’ trumpets. The priest then went up to the rise of the altar and turned left, where there were two silver basins with narrow holes – the eastern a little wider for the wine, and the western somewhat narrower for the water. Into these the wine of the drink offering was poured, and at the same time the water from Siloam, the people shouting to the priest, ‘Raise thy hand,’ to show that he really poured the water into the basin which led to the base of the altar.”
Water is something that we all use for cleansing purposes it speaks clearly of removing dirt and germs. When it is symbolically applied to our heart we can understand the implications, it removes the things that are unclean that spoil our relationship with God and other people; selfishness, pride, envy, covetousness, murder, deceit, fornication, slander and theft.
It works alongside of the blood of Jesus, his life laid down making the final sacrifice for sin, his life’s blood poured out for the sins of the world so that all may partake of his redeeming blood, a drink offering indeed. At our Communion service the wine is symbolic of Jesus’ blood shed for us and we drink in remembrance of his life laid down.
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10: 22
Born of the Spirit.
Water also speaks of the Holy Spirit. John 7: 37 On the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, “Jesus said, “Is there anyone thirsty, then let them come to me and drink.”
He spoke of the Holy Spirit who would be poured out after his resurrection and ascension.
The Lord Jesus points us to the Holy Spirit quickening our spirit with the Holy Spirit so that we are born again into the Kingdom of God through faith in Jesus.
King James Bible 400th Anniversary The translators use the word quicken – made alive
Quicken – to become alive
Quickening – the period in pregnancy when the mother first becomes conscious of the movement of the child.
”And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” Ephesians 2: 1
”Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved.)” Ephesians 2: 5
”And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses.” Colossians 2: 13
Jesus separates that which is born of the flesh from that which is born of the Spirit. John 3; 6
As a result of the quickening we begin to discern the movement of Holy Spirit within our being. The Holy Spirit gives us discernment on his movements and on the movement of our soul. The words in the Bible become to us living words, they begin to shape our life as we move, using the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Soul – Hebrew – breath
The entire nature and personality of a person
The Flesh
“For the mind that is set on the things of the flesh is hostile to God.” Romans 8: 7
The flesh is also a term used to identify our self interest towards self preservation, self glorification, self indulgence, self gratification and self reliance, to live our lives dependant on our own reasoning, on our logical mind. To think outside the box is risky we feel that we are leaving ourselves vulnerable to things outside our control.
Jesus taught his disciples and those who believe in him to be reliant upon God living our lives in the Spirit.
Living in the Spirit
It isn’t easy to discern when our soul, our self interest is at work. It may be to tell a lie in order to cover up our failing in some way. Some times the Lord allows us to fall into sin and suffer the refining fire of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit convicts us in our heart and mind and our conscious bears witness that when we are out of step with the word and Spirit of the Lord.
Forgiveness and healing comes when we are sincere in saying sorry to the Lord, we enter into the freedom of Christ’s forgiveness.
It is harder to over come a fall into sin when the powers of darkness are behind that sin, we find ourselves battling against Satan. The armour of God is ours to use to bring us the victory. Ephesians 6:10-20
The prayers of other Christians are important to help us to defeat the onslaught from the principalities and powers in heavenly places.
Nearly twenty years ago I was attending a craft fair with my pottery, when a man a complete stranger came and confessed his sin to me, he told me that he was at the time a Pastor of a church and he had been wrestling with an addiction. (not drugs) We prayed together, through repentance and claiming Christ’s victorious blood over the addiction.
“I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16: 33
“No, in all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 8: 37-39
Do not leave a window open for the moth to come and tarnish your spiritual house.
True riches and values are precious; the enemy will try and corrupt the scriptures concerning our walk in the Spirit of Christ.
Antinomianism Eyre and Spottiswoode RSV Bible Notes page 1683
“Some have supposed that the dispensation of the gospel releases man from the obligation to keep the law of God. This error is known as Antinomianism (opposition to moral law), and in its extreme form has led to the notion that the more sins the more grace abounds. Here, and in Romans 3:8; 6: 15-23, Paul conclusively means deliverance from the power of sin and death, not a continued thraldom to it.”
God forgave my sin
God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name;
I’ve been born again, in Jesus’ name,
and in Jesus’ name I come to you
to share His love as He told me too.
He said:
‘freely, freely you have received,
freely, freely give;
go in My name and because you believe,
others will know that I live.’
Bowl of water placed on a table
Bolton Archdeaconry Quiet Morning 2007 held at St Mary Rawtenstall
Sometimes it is good to ask the Lord to renew us in his Holy Spirit. During the morning after an appropriate prayer was said, Sister Theresa White asked everyone present to come and write their name in the bowl of water.While this was going on, we sang 'Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.'
