Monday, March 01st, 2010 | Author: Chris
Yesterday was one of the greatest days of my life. We baptized 13 people! Interestingly, in today’s passage we read about baptism, including the baptism of Jesus.
So, for those of you who were at the service yesterday, what were some of the ways you were impacted? Also, what did you find interesting about today’s reading?
Category: Daily Scripture Reading
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Monday, 1. March 2010
How exciting it is that 13 people are choosing to be disciples of Jesus. Some of my students in the 3rd through 5th grade are inspired to be baptized because Maria choose to be. I loved that all the Pastors shared the responsibility.
It is impressive that so many people came to be baptized by John. It must have been so humbling for John to baptize Jesus! I wonder was John the only one who saw the Holy Spirit and heard the voice of God? On the mountain Moses was the only one who stands to hear the voice of God because they were so afraid of Him. And when Jesus spoke to Paul on the Damascus road his companions saw the light and heard the voice but couldn’t understand what it was saying. So what was the deal here?
Monday, 1. March 2010
Matt 3:8 “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” Some people focus so much on the fact that we’re saved by faith (which we are) that they view any call to a changed life to be “works righteousness.” But faith that saves is faith that changes your life.
Monday, 1. March 2010
What an awesome day we had yesterday. This is what it is all about, making disciples. I’m exited that everyone of us at Ekklesia is part of this work. Note that none of the people that got baptized were brought in by the pastors. This is why it is so important for all of us to be in the business of making disciples. We all have a part in it.
What is amazing to me in Chapter 3 is the humility of Jesus. He was God yet humbled himself before John for the good of the Kingdom. Jesus set an example for all of us in His leadership, that we should all submit to one another for the good of the Kingdom of God.
Monday, 1. March 2010
1) Matthew 3:1-12 really develops the theme of the faithless Pharisees and Sadducees. Notice the Baptizer’s words: “And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
We’ll see that Jesus is going to establish a New Covenant in His blood later (Matthew 26:26-28), but the Jews who prefer the First Covenant will be cast out into outer darkness (Matthew 8:12).
2) John makes a profound distinction between his water baptism and the baptism of Jesus, which is of the Spirit and fire. Only the Spirit baptism is required for salvation in the New Covenant, and our water baptisms only represent that necessary reality.
3) Jesus came to fulfill all righteousness, and so was baptized by John in Mathew 3:15 (compare this with Matthew 5:17-18).
4) Jesus is so cool. The Father testifies about His Son here, and the Spirit is also present with Jesus. Here we see all 3 Persons of the Trinity. The Father says He is well pleased with Jesus, reminding me of Jesus’ statement in John 6:27-29
“”Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”"