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LIGHTING THE WAY
Advent Part III
Matthew 3:7-12
He will Baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with Fire
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The first coming of Jesus Christ brought with it conflict. "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34). This seems quite a different message from the Christmas proclamation of: "Peace on earth, good will toward men." While it is true that Jesus Christ is our Prince of Peace, and His coming was meant to restore peace between God and man, it is inevitable that His purposes of salvation, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life would bring division to a world filled with sin, darkness, and death.
Our redemption (the deliverance and freedom from the penalty of sin by the payment of a ransom) was only made possible through the substitutionary death of Christ. The baptism He went through on our behalf was one of suffering and death; He gave His life to release us from the bondage of sin and death. "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.' He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit" (Galatians 3:13-14).
Jesus said, "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?" (Mark 10:38b). When it was time for the third cup of the Passover feast - the Cup of Redemption - Jesus picked up the cup, knowing full well that He would soon take this "chalice of death and of God's wrath" from the hand of the Father to fulfill His mission, and He said, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood" (Luke 22:20). Each year Jewish families would look upon this cup sitting in the place set for Elijah (during the Passover feast), mindful of his ministry of redemption and judgment, and remember God's redemption of Israel from bondage in Egypt. On this day, the Lord picked up His cup and declared a new covenant that would be for the redemption of mankind through His blood. "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time', declares the LORD, 'I will put My law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people" (Jeremiah 31:33).
Jesus said, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with" (Mark 10:39b). When Jesus had given thanks for the cup, He gave it to His disciples and told them to drink of it (reference Matthew 26:27). Believers today partake of this same cup as a symbol and memorial of the Lord's great sacrifice and our call to share in His suffering. We are called to walk the path He prepared for us, and share His gospel message of grace with a world lost in darkness and sin until He returns, and, with His second coming, brings the final and complete redemption. "At that time you will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near" (Luke 21: 27-28).
As we light the third candle of Advent, the Shepherd candle, symbolizing the obedient response of the shepherds who heard the angelic announcement and went out with joy to share what they had seen and heard, may we be ever mindful, as ambassadors of Light and Truth, having ears to hear and eyes to see and a heart to be responsive to spreading the gospel message, like fire, until the whole earth is full of His glory.
"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
because He has come and has redeemed His people.
He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of His servant David."
(Luke 1:68-69)
Keep shining the Light!
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