Last time, as we considered the general ministry of John the Baptist, we found him in a tense dialog with the religious leaders, who came to interrogate him. And as they called into question his authority to baptize, he told them of the One coming after him, who would baptize with fire and with the Holy Spirit. And John described this coming One, who is the Messiah, as One whose sandal strap, John was not worthy to loosen.
This morning, that glorious coming One arrives, and the irony is, that this One who would baptize with fire and the Holy Spirit, actually seeks John's baptism with water. As we consider the purpose of this baptism, we will also find this to be the critical juncture, whereby, the Lord Jesus Christ, officially begins His earthly ministry. |