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Monday, January 09, 2006 Meditation Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7 In order to be baptized by John, the people of Jerusalem had to take a long, hot hike through the wilderness. Surely a trek to the Jordan would have recalled for many of them the Israelites’ journey with Moses through the desert. For forty years their ancestors traveled through the wilderness, facing the challenge of trusting God and living according to his word. Surely this memory would have helped them arrive in a state of repentance, ready to receive the baptism of John with humble, open hearts. But then came Jesus. He walked the same desert path of repentance that they did, but not because of any personal sin on his part. Rather, he came as a man in solidarity with his people, taking upon himself the role of the suffering servant who was “numbered with the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12). He embraced the repentance John preached for us. Just as at the Jordan the mantle was passed from the prophet Elijah to Elisha, so now the mantle is passed from John to Jesus—and with even greater consequence. A new covenant was initiated, and the redemption that this baptism foreshadowed began to unfold. From that point on, everything that Jesus said and did was for our sake. Every miracle, every parable, every teaching, every word of comfort or confrontation was done with us in mind. From that moment forward, Jesus began to gather to himself all our sins, all our hopes and dreams, all our longings and passions, so that he could bring them to the cross for our healing, cleansing, restoration, and resurrection. What goes through your mind when you think about your baptism? Do you see it as an introduction into all of the blessings that Jesus won on the cross? Do you bow down in wonder that you have been not only crucified with Christ but also raised up with him to God’s right hand? Do you know how privileged and honored you are? Spend some time in prayer today pondering the link between Jesus’ baptism and yours. Sit quietly before the Father and let him call you his beloved child, one in whom he is well pleased. “Thank you, Jesus, for bringing me from the darkness of sin into the light of your grace. Stay with me, Lord, that I may remain with you forever.” Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10; Acts 10:34-38; Mark 1:7-11 |