“Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.” Mark 1:3
Dear Ones:
Scripture is very clear about “the way of the Lord.” It is singular, “holy” in that it is separate from all the ways of men, and it is a way of life, and power. One reason for which, in the days of John the Baptist, God sent him, was to prepare His way before the Lord Jesus. Why was it necessary for John to come, being very unique in his dress, his disposition, and power? It was so that attention would be drawn away from the “ways” of men, to that of God. John was in some respects like a trumpet, whose first mission was to awaken the people of his day, to the spiritual reality at hand, that being the coming of Christ, the Savior of the world. With the knowledge of His coming, would be the revelation of the way of God to know Him, and to be met by Him. It was a “way” that was so unique, and singularly important, that John would come, “…crying in the wilderness.” The announcement of John’s coming would be declared by the prophet Isaiah, in the eighth century before Christ. With his coming would not only be revealed the knowledge of God’s way, and the announcement of the coming Messiah, but with and by his words, there would be revealed the power of God. Scripture tells us that the coming of John, and his accompanying ministry by the Spirit, would result in “…all the land of Judah, and they of Jerusalem, coming out to hear him, many of whom were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.” (Mark 1:5) The trumpet of God had sounded with the coming of John, the proof of God’s presence had been revealed. But also, a promise of God that would change the entire world, would be given by his preaching: “I indeed have baptized you with water: but He (the Messiah) shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (1:8) The message of John was one of repentance and confession of sins, unto forgiveness, and cleansing from sin. The second part of the message had to do with the miracle of the new birth, Christ coming to dwell in the heart by faith. God’s way was thus revealed as the truth, and the power of the Spirit. No way of man would compare to such a way of blessing.
When Jesus came to be baptized by John, we find that when He was coming up out of the water, the heavens were opened, and “…the Spirit like a dove descended upon Him.” (1:10) Why is this so significant, since Jesus was already filled with the Spirit? It is a picture of God’s provision for that which He calls the believer to be and do. There came upon Jesus at that time, and in that way, the Holy Spirit, declaring that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, but also, the Anointed One, who was endued with all the power of God for His mission on earth. The believer can learn a lot by this “picture.” First of all, the same Spirit of God that filled the Lord Jesus, is that One that comes to dwell in the heart of the believer. This means that all that was in and by the Spirit, is the same then as it is now. The difference in the manifestation of the Spirit in the life of Jesus and the life of the believer, centers around the question of the will of God, and one’s faith in Christ for its fulfillment. The believer is baptized into Jesus Christ, baptized with the Holy Spirit. However, the believer may or may not be filled with the Spirit, relying wholly upon Him for every need. Baptism is an all-inclusive word which carries with it the thought of “entirety.” One cannot be baptized partially with the Spirit. But one can limit the work of the Spirit in and through the life by a lack of faith in God, according to His promises and the revelation of His power.
Dear Father, Open our eyes to see the prepared way to Thee by Christ, and the provision of Thy power. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad