email : Webview : Duane Brooks - Every Day with Jesus

April 16, 2018

Matthew 3:4-6

John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

New International Version (NIV)

                 I grew up in churches singing songs about a river. “I am just going over Jordan, I am just going over home . . .” we would sing. Then in 2000 I got to see it for myself when we traveled to Israel with an amazing and unforgettable group of friends. The Jordan was smaller than I imagined, though someone had tried to prepare me. Remember the river had been at flood stage when God parted it for Joshua and his people to cross into the promised land. It wouldn’t take George Washington to throw a rock across it. But we walked right into the river and saw fish swimming around.

                John the Baptist must have been a sight to see in his camel hair garments with locust legs in his teeth and honey on his hands and on the corner of his mouth. But everyone was asking, “Have you heard John?” They came from miles around to hear him say, “Repent and be baptized.” Even the religious leaders came also. Had John played his cards well, he might have gained a great group among the leaders. Like many Baptists our day, though, John was not about to play cards of any kind. Instead he compared them to snakes fleeing. “Repent,” he reminded them.

                Finally, Jesus came. John surely felt inadequate. Sometimes, feelings are true. He never mentioned repentance to Jesus. But when he raised Jesus from the water, heaven opened up, the Spirit descended like a dove and the Father blessed his Son for all to hear. A preacher friend of mine and I were comparing phone pictures of kids and grandkids and cows yesterday. He showed me a picture of the Jordan river. With tears in his eyes, he related how he baptized his thirty year old son in the same water where Jesus was baptized at about the same age. He was well pleased with his son too. It made me want to sing.

Pray with me:

Father, thank you for offering your grace through your perfect Son. Immerse us again in your new mercies today. Remind us of the river that flows from your throne. Lead all of your children safely home. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

This year we focus our Every Day with Jesus readings on Jesus’ story. With references to Tallowood's Read Through the Bible in 2018 daily reading plan, let's focus our undivided attention on Jesus and follow where he lead. He will not fail. Neither will we!
Joyfully,
Duane

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