“The Forerunner of Christ”
Matthew 3:1-17
“I indeed baptize you with water unto 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 fire.” [Matthew 3:11]
Our Lord referred to John the Baptist as the greatest born of women. That is high praise! “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist…” [Jn 11:11]. And yet we see in the Gospels John consistently deferring to Jesus.
In the Kingdom, the way up is down. Indeed, the highest place is at the foot of the Cross. “He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease.” [Jn 3:30] That is what made John the Baptist great and his ministry effective. He was God’s forerunner to Christ; his ministry was a precursor to the baptism of the Spirit. John knew his place; he knew what he was called to and did it. “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance…” [John’s ministry]. “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” [Jesus’ ministry]. These ministries are alive and well today!
“Repentance” is the Greek metanoeo; from meta, “after,” and noeo, “to think.” It underscores faith. Repentance of sin is a matter of faith. In this context it is not only a decision to turn from sin but to turn toward Christ. The dynamic is twofold. In the root of the word, it says that even if I do not have it figured out, I have decided to turn and to trust, and that understanding will come later.
Most importantly, though, it is trusting the Spirit’s power to transform my life. It is precisely when I experience Holy Spirit transformation that things begin to make sense. Understanding comes as I walk by faith. It begins, however, with repentance [i.e., John’s ministry], a decision to turn from my own way and go His, even if I do not understand [yet].
This is a decision that every true Christian makes. It is a decision that every non-Christian can make. Repent of your sins; and then ask Jesus to be your personal Lord and Savior. These are the two parts of John’s and Jesus’ ministry. It begins with John’s [a baptism of repentance] and is completed in Jesus’ [a baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire].
It is, however, initiated by you; a decision for Christ; a step of faith. I encourage you to take that step today. If you do you will find that things will begin to make a whole lot of sense in the days ahead.
