Matthew 3:7-12
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
As you read Matthew 3:7-12 recall that Matthew has just introduced us to John the Baptist and told us that people from all over Jerusalem are coming to the wilderness to be baptized by John to show that they are turning away from their rebellious ways and turning towards God.
The Pharisees and Sadducees were Israel’s religious elite – high priests and teachers of the law of Israel. But as we have seen in both Mark’s and John’s Gospels, both groups operated far from God’s intent for Israel’s leaders. John the Baptizer doesn’t hesitate to call them out when they venture out into the wilderness to see for themselves this man to whom people are flocking. John has no patience for those who consider him a curiosity or a possible threat. John is only interested in people who are sincerely seeking a new way of living.
It’s easy to say that we follow Jesus, but if our attitudes and actions are not being transformed over time to look more and more like Jesus’, we need to reevaluate.
Take a moment to think about the ways in which your attitudes and actions have changed over the past few weeks or months. Try to identify any areas in particular that you have sensed need to change. Share all of this with Jesus and then listen to him.
Read Matthew 3:7-12 again focusing in on John’s description of the baptism that Jesus provides.
The Greek word for baptism in this passage is, baptizó, which means "submerge" or “to sink.” Whereas John submerges people in water as a symbolic gesture of the washing away of sin, Jesus submerges those who come to him in the Holy Spirit and cleansing fire. As we sink into Jesus, he changes and refines our very nature. Our rebellious thoughts, words and actions are burned away over time, and we begin to shine with the light of his Spirit.
Think back to the areas of your life in need of change that you identified. Imagine Jesus dipping you into a cleansing fire and burning away those areas of rebellion. Then imagine emerging from the fire shining with the light of the Holy Spirit.
What thoughts or feeling arise? Share these with Jesus and then listen to him again.
What do you sense Jesus would have you do or do differently as the result of this time of meditation?
Write down what you are sensing and make a commitment to take action today.
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