January 13 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Matthew 3:13–17

Devotional

John preaches that the Messiah will come with an ax to execute judgment against sinners. The ax is laid at the root of the tree ready to cut down every barren tree. When the Lord Jesus comes, however, He requests to be baptized. Christ could have executed judgment with that ax. But He is among those who desire John’s baptism. He must fulfill all righteousness. That means He also must place Himself under God’s judgment. He takes the unrighteousness of sinners upon Himself. That means He Himself will place His head under the ax that John preaches about. We cannot fathom this. Even the one called to prepare the way for Christ does not understand this concept. But it is in this way that Jesus fulfills the righteousness of God.

Although it cannot be fathomed, it is necessary for those who need John’s baptism to recognize God’s miracle of grace. You are lost in sins and trespasses and must be buried in baptism—buried in the open grave that you have dug by your sins. But remember that the confession of your sins can never wash away your guilt, and submitting to baptism will not cleanse you from your sins. Thus, when you are buried in baptism you must understand that you have not yet risen up again from the grave of sins.

But then, oh sinner, behold, the coming of Jesus Himself to John to be baptized. He, the Lamb of God, comes. He knows that confessing one’s guilt cannot bring salvation. That is why Jesus descends into that same water. He goes down together with sinners. He takes the guilt of sinners on Himself and He alone atones for their guilt by His own death and His own grave. After that He will raise them up with Him and exalt them to be with Him in heaven before God the Father.

Oh, the significance of Jesus’ baptism! John’s baptism is the gate to the gospel. Many people confessed their guilt. It was necessary and appropriate and we must confess our sins as well. But the heart of John’s message is that the baptism of Jesus is a testimony of the Lamb’s acquaintance with men. Remember, we must confess our sins. But now John’s baptism becomes the gate to the gospel, because Jesus Himself went to John to be baptized.

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.