Baptism of the Lord 2024

Preparing for the desert

Mark 1:4–11 NRSV

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

Mark 1:12–13 NRSV

And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

Baptism is more than a cleansing from the repentance of sin, it prepares us for what is to come.

—> Jesus didn’t need his sins to be forgiven, he is ushering in the Spirit of God

—> Infant baptism —> prevenient grace, gives us a family

—> believers baptism —> justifying and sanctifying grace —> announces to others we have joined the family

—> baptism ALWAYS connects us to God and our brothers and sisters in Christ—

—> Preparing us for our temptations, our trips into the wilderness