JORDAN RIVER BAPTISM

 

JORDAN RIVER BAPTISM

It is a cool morning in November 2018, and the sun is shining brightly through the trees surrounding the Jordan River baptismal site called Yardenit, as our Lakes Church Lead Pastor Dr. Aaron D. Burgner baptized my husband, Jack, and me. As my bare feet step into the chilly water, I am immediately aware of the Presence of the Divine.
          It was here, in this water, this same water, that my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ placed His Perfect Spirit Feet shod with flesh. He was baptized, and immediately coming up out of the water, as He looked up to this same sun, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him, and His Father's Voice came out of the heavens: "You are My beloved Son, and in You I am well-pleased."
          I see the bright sun shining through the trees above me, I feel its warmth on my face, and as my husband, Jack, and I are baptized by our Lakes Church Lead Pastor Aaron Burgner in the chilly Jordan River. I experience once again the cleansing feeling of being buried with Christ in baptism, and raised to walk in a new way of life.
          This represents a re-commitment of my life to the One and Only Son of God, Who loved me so much that He took my sin upon Himself, nailed to that Cross, I come to Him again. I bow before Him, and look up to His thorn-pierced brow, and feel His Blood flow over those thorns to cover my heart, giving me His Robe of Righteousness to wear.
          From this day forward, I am a bond-servant to Jesus Christ. I am willing to be willing to surrender to You, Your Plan, Your Hope, Your Future for me. I will go where You want me to go, I will do what You want me to do, by the power of Your Holy Spirit Who dwells in the innermost part of me, taking authority over my soul—the seat of my emotions, and my body—my fleshly desires and appetites.
          This is the only place in the Scriptures where the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—appear all-at-once is here . . . Mark 1:9-11 “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; and a voice came out of the heavens: "You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased."
            The first act of obedience after salvation is to be baptized. Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward change, and is a picture of three things: 

1.  It’s a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord.

2.  It’s a picture of the death of your old life, and that you’re raised to walk in a new way of life.

3.  It’s a public way to share that you’re not ashamed to publicly declare Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life! 

          Baptism symbolizes your new life in Christ and proclaims that you are now committed to Jesus. Even Jesus was baptized (Luke 3:1-22), and He calls His followers to also be baptized. Baptism was practiced by the very first followers of Jesus in Acts 2:41. 

          SAVIOR, every day people who are hurting and lost surround me. Help me to share the good news that you are the Christ and that you have set us free! Lord, if there are those in my life who are crying out to you, open my spiritual eyes that I might see, and give me the courage to share the gospel message with them. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

          Look Up—meditate on Mark 1:9-11 … pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.
          Look In—as you meditate on Mark 1:9-11 … pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."
          Look Out—as you meditate on Mark 1:9-11 … pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.