What an AMAZING weekend!
For the first time in my journey with God, I was honored to partake in the baptisms of one of my best friends, my cousin!
I am still filled with pure joy when I think to this moment and how it happened. Watching a friend taking steps within their life to get closer to God. Not only giving over his heart to God but allowing God to see his steps in cleansing himself from the burdens that he had weighing him down. If you are a believer of the practice of baptism, it is such a wonderful event to attend and to be a part of. After a prayer together, he was asked if he accepted Jesus Christ as his savior. Our new brother in faith confirmed that he accepted Jesus and that Jesus died for his sins. Just before he was fully submerged, a joyful smile stretched across his face. His first comment was, "That was a rush!", as the smile stayed on his face, coming up from the water.
3The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight. 4John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5And there went out unto him all the land of Judæa, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. Mark 1:3-5 KJV
John the Baptist started a revival of the spirit for all of those in the area that would allow him to show the method of repentance, baptizing in the waters of the river of Jordan.
The gesture seems simple enough but submerging a person into water is not the only practice that allows us to lay the burdens down. That question that was asked of my cousin just before being placed into the water is what allows us "a way" to forgiveness. When we accept Jesus as our savior, we are confirming that He gave us a new way to talk with God, but also a new way to act towards others. What is very important about how Mark describes John also is confirmation that Jesus is what had been prophesied.
3The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD , make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: 5and the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. Isaiah 40:3-5 KJV
Jesus did not just allow us a new path to talk to God, but He also allowed us a path to gain forgiveness and encouraged us to show grace towards others. Just as Isaiah is prophesizing here, John the Baptist confirms that he's the voice from the wilderness.
Before Jesus, people of faith were required to follow a long list of laws (over 600) that combined God's commandments and traditions together. While reading through the Old Testament, you can see those long-listed laws that Jesus often challenges throughout His ministry. Not only does Jesus teach all that will hear His ministry, but He teaches to beaches from a boat, crowds of gentiles and Jews sitting on the grass, and He attends services held in Synagogues by the Pharisees and Sadducees. Regardless of your faith at the time, Jesus created the way to allow us a path to talk to God.
6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
My prayer for us all this week, including myself if I haven't made that clear in previous posts:
God, I thank you for the beauty that we were able to witness over this weekend. Thank you for allowing us to see Your joy pour out over from another person that You found chasing after Your heart. Please allow for that joy to be contagious and for those around him to witness the power of Your blessings. Share that feeling with any and all that will allow You into their heart. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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